As the Biden-Harris administration works swiftly to reduce the use of fossil fuels through initiatives like the Inflation Reduction Act, which offers substantial sums of money for renewable energy investments, these incentives overlook the significant impact on the workers, our energy industry, and the communities who depend on the tax revenue from our oil and gas industry.
When an oil production facility closes, our energy workers and their families face severe financial hardship, often resulting in a drastic salary cut. A job as a solar roof installer won’t match the average income of $123,000 a year that California oil workers make. In California alone, we have approximately 50,000 oil and gas workers.
Biden-Harris and California’s renewable programs should be met with skepticism by impacted communities. Their energy jobs often do not offer comparable wages or match the skills of laid-off oil and gas workers. The loss of tax revenue from closed plants significantly affects community services, including schools, fire, and law enforcement.
We have seen this same story before, where aspirational goals from politicians create an industry transition that fails to provide sufficient support for affected families and communities, worsening economic difficulties and job losses.
The real transition occurring in California is from heavily regulated domestic oil production to imported oil, which doesn’t have to meet our environmental or health standards.
Today, Californians are consuming more oil than they did ten years ago. We proactively collaborate with over 25 local, state, and federal agencies that regulate California’s oil industry. Together, we are implementing advanced technologies and procedures to ensure we meet demand responsibly while prioritizing safety and environmental protection.
For more information, contact Sean Wallentine