Nearly half of California’s Republican congressional delegation sent a letter on Tuesday warning that Governor Gavin Newsom’s strict fossil fuel policies could threaten national security, especially because of California’s importance to the military.
The letter, led by Representative David Valadao from the San Joaquin Valley, expressed serious concerns that Newsom’s actions against oil refining are harming not only California taxpayers but also the U.S. military.
Valadao explained that California has more than 24 active military bases that depend on fossil fuels like petroleum and oil. He warned that if California doesn’t operate at full refining capacity, these bases will have to rely on foreign oil. “If your administration continues with this short-sighted energy management, we can expect the state’s military bases and other critical defenses to rely entirely on foreign fuels by midcentury,” the letter stated.
The letter, also signed by Representatives Ken Calvert, Young Kim, Jay Obernolte, and John Duarte, noted that California now has only nine oil refineries left. It referred to a 2021 memo from Newsom aiming to phase out oil extraction by 2045 without having a backup plan if people continue to use 1.8 million barrels of oil daily.
“When we depend on foreign oil, we are vulnerable to global supply disruptions and price spikes, which significantly impact our economy and our military strength,” the letter warned.
“By increasing our domestic energy production and reducing our reliance on foreign oil, we can protect ourselves against these risks and ensure a stable and reliable energy source.” The letter acknowledged Newsom’s efforts to move the state to green energy but emphasized the need for a balance until such infrastructure is fully tested and available.
It also highlighted the potential disaster for both the military and civilians in California, noting that gas prices in the state have recently topped $6 and $7 per gallon. “Ending the fossil fuel industry prematurely in our state has serious consequences for military infrastructure and could lead to future fuel shortages and high prices,” the letter stated.
The letter demanded that Newsom provide lawmakers with information by September 1, including any strategies to ensure military bases have reliable energy sources. They also wanted answers on the 55,000 fossil fuel jobs that might be lost and how Californians would handle price increases and reliance on foreign oil.
In response, Newsom’s spokesperson Alex Stack criticized Republicans for supporting “Big Oil donors.” He said, “They should do their own research first.” ..”California gas prices are the lowest in three years, and our new price gouging accountability measures will help save money at the pump. Meanwhile, the Department of Defense has recognized climate change as a national security issue and highlighted the need for clean energy, which California is leading in and providing innovations for our military to use for national security.”
