Newsom relinquishing control to China to meet the energy demands of Californians?

As California continues to lead in climate ambition, it must also lead in practical, inclusive energy planning. The stakes-for our economy, environment, and national security-demand nothing less.

China openly supports political activism in California and is savoring the future with their many refineries coming online to meet the DEMANDS of the American society.

With the upcoming closures of the Phillips 66 Refinery in Southern California in 2025, and the Valero Refinery in Northern California in 2026, a growing national security concern would result from our growing dependence on China to meet the humongous demands for transportation fuels by California, Arizona and Nevada. The two refinery closures represent almost 17% of the state's crude oil processing capacity to meet the materialistic demands of the States' residents, and much of the transportation fuels needs in AZ and NV.

As California intensifies regulatory and tax burdens on in-state oil production and refining, other nations, particularly China, are rapidly expanding their refining capacities. At least eight new refinery projects are planned in China by 2030. These facilities will not only serve their own domestic growth but increasingly export refined products to nations like the US, offsetting California's declining supply.

This shift carries serious implications. Offshore refining to meet US demand contributes to higher global emissions, limited domestic job creation, and increased dependence on foreign supply chains-potentially weakening our national resilience and security.

Compounding the growing need for more importation to meet the materialistic demands of society will be the West Coast port's ability to receive transportation fuels as marine facilities in California face increased congestion and dramatic vessel limits.

Our modern infrastructure-airports, hospitals, military bases, and even sanitation systems-cannot function without continuous access to petroleum-based fuels and products. Yet, California's energy strategy focuses overwhelmingly on restricting domestic supply without a clear, scalable alternative to meet persistent demand.

The reality is this: limiting the local supply of the fuels and products made from oil without reducing demand doesn't solve the climate challenge, it simply shifts environmental and social impacts overseas, often to countries with less stringent environmental protections and labor laws.