Energy Secretary Critiques Leaders Over Gas Price Blame
Energy Secretary Chris Wright has criticized both President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom, calling their remarks about rising gas prices—specifically relating to the Iran conflict—”ignorant.” He emphasized that the U.S. is reducing its own oil and gas production.
“California relies heavily on imported oil from places like the Middle East and uses more fossil fuels than most states,” Wright pointed out. He also mentioned the state’s rapid population decline, noting that California is losing residents faster than any other state. “Your comment is either ignorant or dishonest,” he added in a series of social media posts.
Wright responded to Newsom’s criticism of Trump’s recent executive order aimed at restarting oil pipelines off California’s coast, a move intended to lower gas prices. Newsom has asserted that Trump should have anticipated that a conflict with Iran would increase gas prices, further claiming that the president is attempting to illegally reinstate a pipeline that had previously been shut down.
“And it won’t even reduce prices,” Newsom remarked. “I won’t allow President Trump to put Californians, our environment, and our $51 billion coastal economy at risk.”
California’s dependence on foreign oil is a significant issue, with critics arguing that the state’s stringent environmental regulations hinder industry growth. This, in turn, forces refineries to seek oil outside the state, which contributes to higher gas prices. Wright stated, “California has limited its own oil and gas extraction and refining capacity, causing energy prices to soar by 40% compared to the national average, with electricity prices being double that.”
In a counterattack, Newsom accused Wright of being influenced by “oil and gas lobbyists funded by government taxpayers,” dismissing his claims as based on faulty research. “Your statements are both ignorant and dishonest,” Newsom wrote. “Regardless, you’re driving up prices for Americans everywhere. Shame on you.”
Patrick MacDonald, CEO of Carbon Energy Corp. in Ojai, California, noted that the state’s regulations essentially shut down all new drilling. He remarked that a more favorable regulatory environment could attract larger independent oil companies back to California.
Newsom has enacted legislation allowing for the drilling of up to 2,000 new wells in Kern County, with hopes other regions might follow. Currently, Californian gas prices sit nearly $2 above the national average, according to AAA.
On NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Wright acknowledged that Americans would feel the effects of rising gas prices for “a few more weeks,” but expressed optimism that short-term disruptions would eventually stabilize the global energy supply.
