Newsom’s Green Vision Faces Heavy Fire from Military and Oil Lobbyists

While the one side is hammering on Newsom to phase out the state’s oil refineries to meet its green goals, the other side warns that could jeopardize the military. 

A ‘Clean Green’ California? 

When it comes to clean energy goals, California Governor Gavin Newsom likes to place his state on a pedestal. 

Earlier this year, Newsom announced his “Building the Electricity Grid of the Future: California’s Clean Energy Transition Plan.”

Sounds Great 

The plan basically states that California is on course to enjoy 100% clean energy by 2045 without allowing skyrocketing costs or decreasing energy supply. 

But Will It Work? 

However, the Golden State is still one of the top oil-refining states in the US.

At a recent webinar, experts argued that although California has made considerable progress in moving away from fossil fuels in the transportation- and energy industries, oil refineries have been largely ignored. 

What’s the Plan? 

According to Woody Hastings, a policy expert at The Climate Center that hosted the webinar, “There are significant acute and chronic public health and climate impacts from refiners,” … however, “There is no plan to phase them out.” 

You Lead, Others Follow 

Hastings added that California can solidify its position as a global leader by establishing a roadmap for the gradual elimination of refineries, setting an example for others to follow, as it has done in the past. 

In 2002, California passed a measure to cut vehicle tailpipe emissions; 13 other states did the same.  

A Prime Example

In addition, when the state passed a 2018 law demanding that all electricity be drawn from renewable sources by 2045, 10 other states as well as the federal government followed suit, Hastings said. 

Show Us How

And at the latest Climate Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai, there was a call to shift towards renewable energy and energy systems in a fair, organized, and fair manner.

According to Hastings: “Let’s have California create the model for how to do it.” 

Something’s Amiss 

Alicia Rivera is an organizer with the nonprofit Communities for a Better Environment who works in Wilmington, Los Angeles where many oil wells and refineries are located. 

According to her, all the other big fossil fuel sectors (electricity, oil drilling, and transportation) implemented some type of phaseout necessities and are working towards minimizing emissions – but “refineries have none.”

The Usual Victims 

Rivera also states that the consequences of inaction are clear. Nearly all the census tracts surrounding refineries consist of communities of color who are compelled to tolerate extremely high levels of toxic emissions and other health hazards.

“People on the other side of the refinery cannot see the emissions because they are invisible,” she said. “But they are large and they are always there, nonstop.” 

People’s Health at Stake 

Julia May, senior scientist with Communities for a Better Environment, also weighed in: “We’ve seen places where California has found significant risk from benzene without including that massive underestimation.” 

“If you include the underestimation, that means the cancer risk is higher. It’s also a VOC that contributes to smog,” she said. 

You Scratch My Back… 

According to May, the reason why California hasn’t acted is in part due to various cities enjoying financial benefits by contributing to the almost 2 million barrels of crude oil that the state refines every day.

She also noted that regulators are under “severe pressure” to sidestep phaseout requirements. 

It Remains a Problem 

But nearly half of California’s greenhouse gas emissions are caused by just two refinery products – diesel and gasoline. 

“You can’t solve the smog or climate disaster without phasing out oil refineries,” May said. 

Strategy Required

Additionally, May believes that the state needs to start searching for ways to lower refineries’ production on the road to a complete closure. 

“We’re not talking about shutting down refineries tomorrow. All we’re asking for is, start a plan over the next two decades and start with gasoline and diesel.” 

A Global Warning 

“It’s really quite frightening,” May said when talking about how climate change is rapidly worsening. 

She referenced a 2022 report from the First Street Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to researching the risks posed by climate change in the United States. 

A Dystopian Future? 

As per the study, approximately 25% of the US may become nearly uninhabitable within the next three decades, with temperatures often exceeding 125 F. 

Pulled From Both Sides 

Meanwhile, Newsom is also getting pushback to do just the opposite.

Earlier this month, almost half of California’s Republican congressional delegation issued a warning letter, stating that Newsom’s strict fossil fuel policies is a danger to national security, partly because of the state’s military importance. 

Now the Army’s Involved? 

In the letter – which is led by Rep. David Valadao of the San Joaquin Valley and signed by Reps. Ken Calvert, Young Kim, Jay Obernolte, Vince Fong, and John Duarte – “grave concerns” are expressed regarding Newsom’s “deliberate… hamstring[ing]” of oil refining which harms not only the state’s taxpayers, but also the US military. 

Let’s Keep It US-Based 

According to Valadao, California has over 25 active military installations that depend on fossil fuels such as petroleum and oil. He emphasized that if California does not increase its refining capacity, foreign suppliers will have to become responsible for these installations.

“[S]hould your administration continue down this path of shortsighted energy management, we can expect the state’s military installations – as well as other first lines of defense – to be entirely dependent upon foreign fuels by the midcentury,” the letter states. 

Think About Tomorrow 

“Your call to prematurely end the fossil fuel industry in our state not only has serious consequences for the military infrastructure in California, but it is a potential catastrophe for the future lack of affordability and availability of transportation fuels,” the letter reads, referring to frequent national headlines that include photographs of $6 per gallon California gas prices.

The Comeback 

Newsom spokesperson Alex Stack responded to the letter: “California gas prices are the lowest in three years and our new price gouging accountability measures will help save money at the pump. 

“At the same time, the Department of Defense has elevated climate change as a national security priority and outlined the strategic need for clean energy – both of which California is leading on and providing the innovations that our military partners will utilize for our country’s national security.”

Stay in Your Own Lane 

In his response, Stack also criticized Republicans for doing “anything for their Big Oil donors.”

“They should do their own research first,” he added.

DeSantis in More Hot Water as Florida Floods, Again

Florida residents are struggling this hurricane season, and many are pointing the finger at a certain Governor. DeSantis in More Hot Water as Florida Floods, Again

J.C. Penney’s Closures Signal the End of an Era in Retail

Popular department store, J.C. Penney, has announced the closure of multiple stores across the country. This announcement reflects changes in the retail industry as online shopping becomes more popular. But how will these changes affect consumers and the future of in-store shopping? J.C. Penney’s Closures Signal the End of an Era in Retail

Michigan’s Governor Whitmer Lays Down the Law for HOAs

Gretchen Whitmer has just taken on HOAs across Michigan. Who won? Michigan’s Governor Whitmer Lays Down the Law for HOAs

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Sheila Fitzgerald.

The images used are for illustrative purposes only and may not represent the actual people or places mentioned in the article.