Iraq, now California’s largest foreign oil supplier, announced plans to reduce oil production by one million barrels daily. This decision, aimed at driving up oil prices, is a stark reminder of the complex global dynamics in energy markets. As California imports over 75 percent of its oil, the implications for our state, which depends on imports, are crucial.
Yet, while the global stage shifts, California's policymakers remain focused on an ideological agenda that ignores the harsh realities of being oil-dependent on imports.
Over the past five years, the state legislature and governor's administration have implemented policies that have slashed domestic oil production by more than 40 percent. This decline has forced our state to rely increasingly on imports, placing us at the mercy of international actors who care little for California's green ambitions.
The world is far more complex than the utopian vision often presented in speeches by our state’s leaders. They envision a future where every Californian drives an electric vehicle and every home is powered by renewable energy. However, this vision ignores that decisions made in Sacramento do not exist in a vacuum. Global oil producers like Iraq and OPEC+ operate on their own terms, prioritizing their national interests over California’s environmental goals.
This disconnection between ideology and reality has left Californians paying the price. As foreign oil supplies tighten, our state’s energy costs remain high, squandering its potential for energy independence.
The California Independent Petroleum Association (CIPA) will continue fighting for a more balanced and realistic approach to energy policy. California has the potential to achieve energy independence, but only if it recognizes the complexities of the global energy landscape. As technology advances, making our cars more fuel-efficient and our energy use more sustainable, we must not abandon our capacity to produce the oil that fuels our lives and state.
More than ever, CIPA and its members will continue to advocate for member companies, workers, and communities, spreading our message from the halls of Sacramento to Washington, D.C. We are dedicated to ensuring that California remains fueled, resilient, and independent in the face of global challenges and local ideological battles.