Example Image
Civitas Outlook
Topic
Politics
Published on
Apr 26, 2026
Contributors
John Yoo
Michael Toth

California is Sacrificing its Economic Future on the Altar of Climate Change

Contributors
John Yoo
John Yoo
Senior Research Fellow
John Yoo
Michael Toth
Michael Toth
Research Director
Michael Toth
Summary
As the nation becomes energy self-sufficient, California is now leading the way in sacrificing its economy on the altar of radical climate change ideology.
Summary
As the nation becomes energy self-sufficient, California is now leading the way in sacrificing its economy on the altar of radical climate change ideology.
Listen to this article

California has long been America’s trendsetter.  But even as the nation becomes energy self-sufficient, California is now leading the way in sacrificing its economy on the altar of radical climate change ideology.

Once a leading oil producer, the state now imports roughly 75% of its crude. Last year, about a third of California’s energy imports came from the Middle East, up 22% from 2024.  

California is moving counter to one of this century’s most important economic and national security developments: the return of American energy independence. A major energy importer as recently as 2005, the U.S. is now an energy export powerhouse. The United States now produces the most oil and gas in the world – roughly 40 percent more per year than either Russia (number 2) or Saudi Arabia (number 3).

The U.S. has ridden the shale revolution and pro-energy policies to become the world’s top producer of oil and natural gas. The dramatic increase in domestic oil and gas supply has kept a lid on consumer inflation, as everything from lipstick and shampoo to swimsuits and household cleaners is made with petroleum products.

Affordable energy saved U.S. consumers $800 billion annually from 2011 to 2024, according to energy research consultants Thunder Said Energy (TSE). Even with the recent run-up in gas prices, Americans are still paying more than a dollar less per gallon at the pump than they were in 2011 and 2012 after adjusting for inflation.

Energy dominance has largely insulated the American economy from the direct fallout of the Iran conflict.  

California, not.

The Iran war has caused a greater energy price spike in the Golden State than in any other. Gas is hovering close to $6 a gallon, about $2 higher than the national average. Diesel has surged to a record $7.75 a gallon, and jet fuel prices in Los Angeles, a major airline hub, have jumped nearly 50%.

California’s energy squeeze is no accident. It’s the predictable outcome of anti-energy policies that have hollowed out the state’s refining capacity and throttled production.

Read the full article on New York Post.

10:13
1x
10:13
More articles

The Myth of Europe’s ‘Fascist’ Revival

Politics
Jun 11, 2026

Gordon S. Wood's American Revolution

Pursuit of Happiness
Jun 11, 2026
View all

Join the newsletter

Receive new publications, news, and updates from the Civitas Institute.

Sign up
More on

Politics

Is American Nationalism Still Creed-able?

We are not there now, but there is reason to worry that the United States is in danger, if we are not careful, of ceasing to be a nation with the principles of 1776 at its core.

Richard Samuelson
Politics
Apr 29, 2026
National Civitas Institute Poll: Americans are Anxious and Frustrated, Creating a Challenging Environment for Leaders

The poll reveals a deeply pessimistic American electorate, with a majority convinced the nation is on the wrong track.

Politics
Feb 19, 2026
Liberal Democracy Reexamined: Leo Strauss on Alexis de Tocqueville

This article explores Leo Strauss’s thoughts on Alexis de Tocqueville in his 1954 “Natural Right” course transcript.

Raúl Rodríguez
Politics
Feb 25, 2025
Long Distance Migration as a Two-Step Sorting Process: The Resettlement of Californians in Texas

Here we press the question of whether the well-documented stream of migrants relocating from California to Texas has been sufficient to alter the political complexion of the destination state.

James Gimpel, Daron Shaw
Politics
Feb 6, 2025

The Three Whiskey Happy Hour

Steven Hayward brings you the Power Line Blog's perspective on the week's big headlines.

View all
** items
The Myth of Europe’s ‘Fascist’ Revival

Joel Kotkin
Politics
Jun 11, 2026
Sneaky Leftist Lawsuits Are Taking Aim at US Energy Dominance

Michael Toth
Politics
Jun 8, 2026
I’d like to Believe California Can Be Saved from the Left. It May Be Too Late.

Joel Kotkin
Politics
Jun 7, 2026
The Rise of the UnJews

Joel Kotkin
Politics
Jun 5, 2026

Palisades Fire Arson Trial Begins as Prosecutors Detail Alleged Rage, Motive

Politics
Jun 10, 2026
1:05

Fascism on the March? with Joel Kotkin

Politics
Jun 8, 2026
1:05

Minnesota Fraud Mastermind to Face Sentencing for $250 Million Scheme

Politics
May 19, 2026
1:05

"Get Real" With RCP's David Desrosiers: Voting Rights Act, New Affordability Agenda & Tax the Rich

Politics
May 11, 2026
1:05

May Day Protests Take Place Across the U.S.

Politics
May 1, 2026
1:05
No items found.
No items found.
“Democratic” Socialism Is Undemocratic

By promoting class hatred, suppressing private initiative, and seeking enhanced control of our lives, today’s democratic socialists undermine patriotism and individual initiative—two qualities that have long distinguished the United States from other major nations.

David Lewis Schaefer
Politics
Jun 10, 2026
America Doesn’t Need to Fear the “Thucydides Trap”

While American leaders can learn much from the ancient Peloponnesian War, the lessons run counter to Xi Jinping’s purposes.

John Yoo
Politics
Jun 9, 2026
Will Alberta Leave Canada?

Premier Smith is trying to navigate a camel through the eye of a needle.

James Allan
Politics
Jun 4, 2026
The Transnational Conservative Project

Intellectual conservatism has proved to be both durable and versatile over the last 250 years, and there is little reason to believe that it will be any less versatile in the future.

Miles Smith IV
Politics
Jun 2, 2026
No items found.