Newsom Advocates for California’s Energy Policies at Climate Conference

Governor Gavin Newsom of California is currently promoting the state’s energy leadership during his trip to Brazil for the United Nations Climate Change Conference. However, many Californians face some of the highest gas prices in the U.S., a situation primarily attributed to state regulations.

“Climate change may not resonate with everyone, but I think affordability is crucial,” Newsom remarked in a recent San Francisco Chronicle interview before his trip. “When we discuss energy efficiency, we’re essentially talking about saving money.”

Newsom attended the COP30 summit, a significant annual event focused on climate change. Traditionally, this conference features attendance from U.S. federal officials, but the current administration opted out after then-President Donald Trump’s dismissive remarks about climate change.

When asked if California would stand as the U.S. representative at the conference, Newsom affirmed, stating that the world views California as a “stable partner” in the context of lacking American leadership on clean energy issues. He pointed out not just a lack of leadership but also described it as “doubling down on stupidity” regarding global efforts in clean energy.

While in Brazil, Newsom’s office highlighted California’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 21% since 2000, even as the state’s GDP grew by 81% during the same period. By 2023, they project that two-thirds of California’s electricity will come from clean energy sources.

Despite these statistics, California is notorious for its high gas prices. Presently, the state tops the national average with prices hitting around $4.67 per gallon, significantly higher than states like Hawaii, Washington, and Nevada.

Amidst the peak holiday travel period in the U.S., many are opting for road trips, especially with airlines still bouncing back from previous disruptions.

During Newsom’s overseas visit, the White House criticized California’s gas prices, with Press Secretary Taylor Rogers labeling Newsom as possibly the “worst governor in the nation.” She noted that Californians pay $1.60 more per gallon of gas than the national average, suggesting it’s time for Newsom to reconsider his energy policies.

In defense of Newsom, Izzy Gurdon, a spokesperson for his office, mentioned that current gas prices are lower than when Newsom first took office in 2019. She highlighted that Californians are benefiting from up to $60 billion in utility rebates due to past climate policies.

Currently, average national gas prices have dipped from a summer 2022 peak of $5 per gallon and are around $3.08 now. Conversely, several red states are reporting lower prices, with Oklahoma boasting the nation’s lowest average at $2.48 per gallon.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration attributes California’s high gas prices to various state-specific policies, including taxes, environmental requirements, and special fuel mandates. As of March 2025, Californians are paying an additional $0.90 per gallon in taxes and $0.54 per gallon due to environmental compliance costs. The state also requires a special fuel blend to mitigate pollution, which escalates prices further.

Newsom and Trump have a longstanding rivalry, frequently clashing over energy policies and other state issues. This includes Trump’s recent moves to roll back some of California’s diesel regulations.

Fox News Digital reached out to Newsom’s office for additional comments but did not receive an immediate reply.