More than 3,000 Californians Urge Governor Newsom to Protect Quality Jobs and Access to Affordable Energy
Petitions signed by more than 3,000 Californians were delivered to Governor Gavin Newsom today urging him to protect quality jobs as the pandemic-battered economy recovers and to also keep energy affordable and reliable for all Californians.
Central Valley lawmakers who represent oil producing regions of the state joined the California Independent Petroleum Association (CIPA) in delivering the petitions at the State Capitol.
“Sacramento’s energy policies are hurting struggling Californians at a time when the wealthy are flourishing and the most vulnerable are on unemployment. Thousands of Californians are asking the Governor to put California first by protecting working Californians, prioritizing locally produced energy, and making energy bills more affordable,” said Rock Zierman, CIPA CEO. “The environment and the economy both can prosper if we continue to focus on meeting the state’s vast energy needs with oil and natural gas produced in California under the toughest standards on the planet. The innovation needed to advance the goals of California’s energy future will come from investments by the oil and natural gas industry. Our companies are already investing in technologies to permanently remove carbon from the atmosphere, resulting in negative emissions that cannot be matched by wind or solar.”
“The Governor represents a state that has the largest and most industrious energy-producing counties in the nation. Jobs in these industries provide high paying careers, opportunities, experience, and a first or second chance for many to support their families, buy a home, or save for retirement. Given California’s reliance on oil has not decreased dramatically over the last thirty years, it is simply unrealistic to think that there is a path forward in this state without oil and gas,” said Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield).
“Eliminating oil and natural gas in California means depriving people of reliable and affordable transportation and electricity. It also means we will still have to import huge amounts of it from other places. You cannot run a 21st century economy, the fifth largest in the world, on electricity produced by wind and solar alone. It is natural gas that keeps the lights on in California,” said Assemblyman Jim Patterson (R-Fresno).
“The high costs and unreliability of our energy in California is a direct result of Sacramento’s energy policies. The Governor’s actions are rubbing salt in the wounds of the Central Valley by proposing to eliminate their core industry and jobs. We must continue to push for common sense energy policies that put us on the path toward energy independence, which will protect our local workers, create jobs, and provide the state with affordable and safe energy,” said Assemblyman Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield).
“I am concerned about climate change and environmental quality through California; however I am also sensitive to the cost of transportation fuels and electricity that face our working families in my district and throughout California,” said Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton). “The push to reduce the state power grid's environmental footprint is certainly an interest, but we must also address to the urgent issues of homelessness, evictions, job security, and vaccine distributions, to name a few. As legislators it is our obligation to advocate and represent the interest of our community. The oil and natural gas industry provides the energy needed to make modern life possible; whether it be keeping our houses warm or allowing our children to do remote learning, these jobs are vital for the security of our working families.”