Vince Fong: More Must Be Done to Unleash Oil Industry

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new law to boost in-state oil production, but Congressman Vince Fong says it is only a “wake up call.” The longtime CIPA ally, who fought for producers in Sacramento and now carries the fight to Washington, made clear the law is not a total cure for California’s energy crisis.

Fong’s message: one bill cannot erase years of permitting delays, pipeline bottlenecks, and heavy reliance on foreign imports. California drivers will still face price spikes and supply shocks unless state leaders follow through with deeper reforms.

“Much more work needs to be done to stabilize California fuels market and gasoline supplies,” Fong warned in an X post.

For CIPA members, his words ring true. Independent producers need durable frameworks like Kern County’s EIR (SB 237) and reliable pipeline protections (SB 767). Without them, California risks remaining reliant upon tankers instead of its own abundant resources.

Fong has been a champion for our industry for years. His wake-up call is a reminder that this new law is just the first step, not the finish line.