- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Ojai Today
By the People, for the People
Energy Secretary Slams Newsom Over 'Ignorant' Gas Price Comments
Wright says California has 'strangled its own oil and gas production' leading to higher prices.
Mar. 17, 2026 at 12:34am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Energy Secretary Chris Wright harshly criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom for blaming the spike in gas prices on former President Trump and the conflict in Iran, calling Newsom's comments 'ignorant'. Wright argued that California's strict environmental regulations have led to higher prices at the pump by stifling the state's own oil and gas production.
Why it matters
The dispute between the Energy Secretary and the California Governor highlights the ongoing political tensions over energy policy and the impact on consumers. As California grapples with some of the highest gas prices in the country, the debate centers on the role of government regulations, domestic production, and global factors in driving those prices.
The details
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that California imports the majority of its oil from overseas, including the Middle East, and consumes more hydrocarbons than most other states. He argued that the state has 'strangled its own oil and gas production as well as its refinery capacity, driving up CA energy prices to 40% higher than the country as a whole — 100% higher in the case of electricity prices.' Wright's rebuke came after Newsom criticized President Trump's executive order to restart an offshore oil pipeline, which Newsom said 'won't even cut prices.' The CEO of a California oil producer, Patrick McDonald, agreed that state laws restricting drilling permits have 'put a halt to all activity' in the industry.
- On March 16, 2026, Energy Secretary Chris Wright criticized Gavin Newsom's comments on gas prices.
- Newsom signed a law in 2025 to allow up to 2,000 new oil well permits in Kern County.
The players
Chris Wright
The Energy Secretary who criticized Gavin Newsom's comments on gas prices.
Gavin Newsom
The Governor of California who blamed the spike in gas prices on former President Trump and the conflict in Iran.
Patrick McDonald
The CEO of Carbon Energy Corporation, a California oil producer who said state laws restricting drilling permits have 'put a halt to all activity' in the industry.
What they’re saying
“Your comments are either ignorant or insincere.”
— Chris Wright, Energy Secretary
“Trump knew his war with Iran would raise gas prices. Now he wants to illegally resurrect a pipeline shut down by courts and facing criminal charges. And it won't even cut prices.”
— Gavin Newsom, Governor of California
“Perhaps if the regulatory environment were more conducive to oil and gas producers, we would see some of the larger independents from outside of California start to come in and find it attractive.”
— Patrick McDonald, CEO of Carbon Energy Corporation
What’s next
Newsom signed a law in 2025 to allow up to 2,000 new oil well permits in Kern County, something McDonald hopes will happen in other counties as well.
The takeaway
The dispute between the Energy Secretary and the California Governor highlights the ongoing political tensions over energy policy and the impact on consumers. As California grapples with some of the highest gas prices in the country, the debate centers on the role of government regulations, domestic production, and global factors in driving those prices.
