Energy Secretary Chris Wright warned that California’s insufficient energy production could pose a national security risk as president. Donald Trump measures aimed at reducing the state’s dependence on foreign oil.
Wright has criticized California politicians, including the governor. Gavin Newsomfor turning California into an energy-starved island by outsourcing oil and gas imports from countries like Iraq and Brazil, even though the resources could be developed in the state.
“President Trump is rightly concerned about the energy security of military operations here at home. state of California” he told FOX Business’ Kelly Saberi. “It’s also a launching pad where we should be sourcing our assets across the Pacific Ocean… But by strangling California, it [Newsom] not only harms California, it also harms U.S. national security. »
The energy secretary said high energy prices in the Golden State were a “political choice” and accused leaders of undermining what was once a dominant energy state.
“ZERO PERCENT CHANCE”: SEC. WRIGHT DISCHARGES EUROPEAN CLIMATE ALARMISTS IN EDITORIAL SPEECH IN PARIS
Chevron’s chairman has written a strong letter to California Governor Gavin Newsom regarding proposed energy regulations. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images; Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images / Getty Images)
“When I started working in California, in the oil and gas industry 30 years ago, California was one of the top three oil producers in the United States,” he explained. “It has a long history as a major producer of oil and gas.”
“It’s just recent political decisions that have decided, one way or another, to strangle this industry.”
California has the highest gas price in the countrywith a gallon of regular gasoline going for $5.93 on Wednesday, according to AAA – a price exacerbated by geopolitical tensions.
NEWSOM STRIKES FOR “INSANE” CALIFORNIA GAS PRICES AFTER BLAMING TRUMP FOR RISING COSTS
Wright said there is “no reason” for rising energy prices and regulation in California given the state’s vast natural resources.
“Why should California citizens pay gas prices more than 50% higher? Why should they pay electricity prices almost twice as high?” he asked.
Wright said the administration is willing to work with California Leadership revive the state’s energy production.
Oil rig jacks extract crude from the Wilmington oil field near Long Beach, California, July 30, 2013. (REUTERS/David McNew/File photo / Reuters)
“The Trump administration wants to work with Gavin Newsom or anyone else in California who recognizes these threats to national security, to the national economy and, most importantly, to the lives of California citizens,” he said.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
However, Newsom’s office expressed disinterest in Wright’s plans, saying in part in a statement to FOX Business: “We wish America’s taxpayer-funded fossil fuel lobbyist Chris Wright luck in his quest to return America to the Stone Age.”
“We hope he does not suffer the same fate that his shilling for big oil imposes on Americans: asthma, exposure to toxic substances, black lungs and other devastating costs,” the statement continued.
