Washington D.C. Turning Focus to California Oil Fields

Last week, an advocacy team from CIPA traveled to Washington, D.C., for critical meetings with federal officials to address the challenges facing California's independent oil producers. They engaged with representatives from the Department of Interior, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Energy, as well as White House leadership from the newly established National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC).

The Trump administration has made it clear that it is committed to bolstering domestic energy production in response to the national energy emergency declared by President Trump. CIPA brought concerns to D.C. related to California’s energy instability and national security concerns arising from Governor Gavin Newsom's aggressive oil shutdown agenda. The declaration of an energy emergency on the federal level has empowered federal agencies to take swift and decisive action to ensure the country’s energy security, with a particular focus on expanding oil production on federal lands.

CIPA's Call for Federal Assistance

During their meetings, CIPA urged the administration to provide direct assistance to California's oil producers by expediting the approval of federal drilling permits on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. Current state-level policies are creating severe constraints on in-state production, threatening refinery operations and increasing the state’s reliance on foreign imports.

Federal officials acknowledged the devastating effects of California’s policies and discussed the ways to expedite drilling on federal lands. Under the president's energy emergency declaration, the Bureau of Land Management has been granted the authority to proceed with leasing and permitting oil and gas operations on federal lands without requiring additional input from California regulators. This would represent a significant shift in California's energy landscape, restoring opportunities for oil producers to operate and expand.

National Energy Dominance Council Leadership

CIPA also had productive discussions with key figures on the National Energy Dominance Council. The NEDC was established to coordinate federal agencies in pursuit of American energy dominance, and its leadership expressed strong interest in supporting California producers’ effort to bolster in-state production. Council members acknowledged the need to counteract the damaging effects of California's restrictive energy policies through decisive federal action.

The council emphasized that national energy security cannot be achieved without California's robust oil industry contributing to the nation’s supply. The Council has outlined how it plans to work directly with state and federal stakeholders to ensure the timely issuance of permits and the reduction of unnecessary regulatory barriers.

Federal Support from Key Administration Officials

Secretary of Energy Chris Wright is a long-time ally of CIPA and a former colleague of Rock Zierman on the Domestic Energy Producers Alliance (DEPA) board. His Chief of Staff Alex Fitzsimmons met with the CIPA team and expressed support for expanded oil production in California. On behalf of Secretary Wright, he emphasized the administration's belief that energy security is paramount and signaled a willingness to help the administration make strategic moves in California to benefit domestic energy production.

Secretary of the Interior Doug Bergum’s team also conveyed strong support for CIPA’s requests. As the lead federal official overseeing BLM operations, the secretary’s legal counsel noted that he will be investigating expedited permitting on BLM land in California under the authority granted by the energy emergency declaration. He emphasized the importance of ensuring California producers are not undermined by state-level obstruction, if any.

In addition, U.S. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s staff reassured CIPA that the agency will review the state’s administration of the Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program. No new UIC project has been approved in over two years with 73 projects representing 5,000 wells currently languishing at CalGEM. Newly appointed USEPA Region 9 Administrator Josh Cook underscored the EPA’s commitment to domestic energy production, further indicating that unnecessary regulatory burdens would be addressed.

CIPA advocates also met with several members of Congress who are considering taking action through reconciliation to bolster domestic energy production since doing so would greatly enhance revenues to the US Treasury.

Moving Forward

The federal government has committed to streamlining the permitting process on federal lands, reinforcing its support for California's independent oil producers. CIPA will continue to work closely with federal agencies to ensure these commitments are fulfilled. Additionally, further collaboration with the White House and the NEDC will be essential as California producers navigate state-level regulatory challenges.

With the president's emergency declaration in place and strong backing from federal leaders, there is a renewed opportunity to revive California’s oil industry and restore energy security. CIPA remains steadfast in its mission to protect California's oil industry and advocate for sound energy policies at both the state and federal levels.