California Dems’ Green Dream Has the State on the Verge of ‘Catastrophic Instability’ [WATCH]

California State Senator Suzette Martinez Valladares is raising concerns about the long-term consequences of state policies on the oil and gas industry, arguing that years of legislative hostility have reduced in-state production, driven down investment, and contributed to higher fuel prices for Californians.

Speaking about the issue, Valladares said lawmakers have consistently sent a discouraging message to energy producers and refiners operating in the state.

“I want to take a minute to really address what I’m hoping to hear, but also point out that for years, this legislature has really sent a clear message to the oil and gas producers and refineries, and that message was and has been, you don’t have a future here,” Valladares said.

Here’s What They’re Not Telling You About Your Retirement

According to Valladares, that message has had tangible economic consequences.

“And the markets responded, capital left, reinvestment slowed, and now we’re seeing refineries have closed down,” she said.

She pointed to the steep decline in the number of operating refineries in California over the past four decades as evidence of that trend.

“In 1982 there were 43 refineries in California today, we have seven,” Valladares said.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

The reduction in refinery capacity, she noted, has occurred even as demand for fuel has increased across the state.

At the same time, she said, consumers are paying significantly more at the pump compared to drivers elsewhere in the country.

“Meanwhile, demand is up, and Californians are paying about 50% more at the pump than the national average,” she said.

Valladares also addressed California’s reliance on crude oil imports, both from other states and from overseas. She said the state produces only a fraction of the oil it consumes, leaving it dependent on outside sources.

“We produce roughly 20% of the crude oil that we consume, and more than 65% of that comes from foreign sources,” Valladares said.

She warned that with such limited in-state capacity and heavy dependence on external supply, the system is increasingly fragile.

“We are one more refinery closure, one more pipeline failure, and we’ll be staring at catastrophic instability,” she said.

WATCH:

Valladares’ remarks reflect broader debates within California over energy policy, environmental regulations, and the balance between climate goals and energy security. As refinery numbers decline and fuel prices remain elevated compared to national averages, she argues that the state faces mounting risks if additional infrastructure is lost or disrupted.

Her comments come as lawmakers continue to consider energy-related legislation and as residents confront higher fuel costs amid constrained supply. Valladares contends that unless the state reassesses the message it sends to producers and refiners, the trend of reduced capacity and increased vulnerability could continue.

Warning: Account balances and purchasing power no longer tell the same story. Know in 2 minutes if your retirement is working for you.