Exclusive: Nearly half of California’s Republican congressional caucus sent a letter Tuesday warning that Gov. Gavin Newsom’s strict fossil fuel policies endanger national security due to the state’s military importance.
The letter, led by San Joaquin Valley Rep. David Valadao, cited Newsom’s “intentional … hamstring injury.”[ing]”The decline in oil refining not only hurts California taxpayers, but also the U.S. military.”
Valadao said California is home to more than 20 active military installations that rely on fossil fuels such as petroleum and oil, and if California doesn’t have enough refining capacity, those installations will have to turn to foreign sources.
“[S]”If your Administration continues down this short-sighted energy management path, by mid-century the state’s military installations, and other first lines of defense, will be totally dependent on foreign fuels,” the letter reads.
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California Governor Gavin Newsom was recently panned by critics for describing his state as a “national model” for tackling homelessness. (California Governor Gavin Newsom’s YouTube channel)
The letter, also signed by Reps. Ken Calvert, Young Kim, Jay Obernolte and John Duarte, says California currently has only nine oil refineries left and cites a 2021 memo from Governor Newsom calling for the “phase-out of oil extraction.”
The note read: 2045 deadline They are demanding that all production be halted, and say in the letter that no contingency plans have been put in place if residents continue to use 1.8 million barrels a day.
“Our dependence on foreign oil makes us vulnerable to global supply disruptions and price increases, which will have significant impacts on our economy and our ability to maintain a strong military presence,” the letter warned.
“Increasing domestic energy production and reducing reliance on foreign oil can help protect against these risks and ensure a stable and reliable source of energy.”
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Congressman David Valadao (R-CA) (AP Photo/Jacqueline Martin, File)
The letter acknowledged Governor Newsom’s efforts to transition the state to green power sources, but added that a balance must be struck until such infrastructure is tested and available.
He also warned that photos of signs going viral in recent years showing gas prices in California exceeding $6 or $7 a gallon could spell disaster for both military and civilians in the state.
“Your call to prematurely phase out California’s fossil fuel industry could have serious consequences for California’s military infrastructure as well as potentially catastrophic future low prices and limited availability of transportation fuels,” the letter read, with a photo of California gasoline prices of $6 a gallon often making national headlines.
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An aerial view of the California State Capitol in Sacramento. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
The letter also called on Governor Newsom to provide lawmakers with relevant information by September 1, including whether there is a strategy in place and what strategies are being implemented to ensure that energy supplies to military installations remain continuous.
Lawmakers also called on Governor Newsom to provide answers about the 55,000 fossil fuel industry jobs that could be lost, and for ways to help Californians deal with expected higher prices and dependency on foreign oil sources.
Fox News Digital reached out to Newsom’s office for comment but had not heard back at the time of publication.
California is represented in the U.S. Congress by 40 Democrats and 12 Republicans.
