Energy Secretary Chris Wright warned that California’s insufficient energy production could pose a national security threat as president Donald Trump measures to reduce the state’s dependence on foreign oil.
Wright criticized California politicians, including Gov. Gavin Newsomfor making California an energy-poor island by outsourcing oil and gas imports from places like Iraq and Brazil, even though resources could be developed in the state.
The energy secretary said the Golden State’s high energy prices are a “political choice” and blamed the leadership for what was once an energy-dominant state.
Chevron’s president wrote a strongly worded letter addressed to California Governor Gavin Newsom about proposed energy regulations. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images; Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images/Getty Images)
“When I started working in California, in the oil and gas industry Thirty years ago, California was one of the three largest oil producers in the United States,” he explains. “It has a long history as a major oil and gas producer.”
“It’s just recent political decisions that have somehow decided to strangle this industry.”
California has the highest gas prices in the countryAccording to AAA, a gallon of regular gas stood at $5.93 on Wednesday – a price exacerbated by geopolitical tensions.
NEWSOM knocked for ‘insane’ gas prices in California after blaming TRUMP for rising costs
Wright said there is “no reason” for California’s rising energy prices and regulations, given the state’s vast natural resources.
“Why should California residents pay more than 50% higher gasoline prices? Why should they pay nearly twice as high electricity prices?” he asked.
Wright said the government is open to cooperating Leadership in California to revive the state’s energy production.
Drilling rigs extract crude oil from the Wilmington oil field near Long Beach, California, on July 30, 2013. (REUTERS/David McNew/File Photo / Reuters)
“The Trump administration wants to work with Gavin Newsom or anyone else in California who recognizes these threats to national security, the national economy and, most importantly, the lives of Californians,” he said.
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“We hope he will not suffer the same fate his shilling for big oil imposes on Americans – asthma, toxin exposure, black lung and other devastating costs,” the statement continued.
