California Legislature Backs Local Oil in SB 237 to Lower Gas Prices and Protect Jobs
- Sep 11, 2025
- 2 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 11, 2025
SACRAMENTO, CA - The California State Legislature has taken a long-overdue step in recognizing the importance of California’s domestic oil production. With recently approved amendments to Senate Bill 237, lawmakers have committed to advancing provisions that streamline permitting in Kern County and ensure Californians can meet more of their own energy needs with California oil, produced by California workers, under California’s labor, health, and environmental laws.
For too long, Sacramento’s policies have forced our state to spend $25 billion a year importing oil from foreign countries that violate California’s environmental standards, human rights, or labor protections. SB 237 is a clear step toward reversing that dependency and allowing us to power California with California energy.
“Letting Californians produce more oil here at home is a win for our workers, our environment, and our economy,” said Rock Zierman, CEO of the California Independent Petroleum Association. Every barrel produced in California means fewer foreign tankers idling off our coast, lower gasoline prices, and more money staying in our communities to fund schools, first responders, and healthcare.”
Since foreign oil imports cost $5-$7 more per barrel than California crude, increased production in Kern County will lower gasoline prices and help keep our refineries open.
Rock stated, “Roughly 70% of oil production in California occurs in Kern County. Overall, in-state oil production accounts for less than 25% of the crude consumed by Californians. The rest is tankered into our crowded ports from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and by tearing down the Amazon Rainforest.”
Two major California refineries have announced plans to shut down, representing nearly 20% of the state’s gasoline supply. USC Professor Michael Mische has warned that gas prices could surge to more than $8 per gallon by late 2026.
“If the remaining refineries cannot secure increased supplies of in-state crude, we risk seeing more refinery closures and even higher gas prices for California families,” said Zierman.
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Hector Barajas
