In 2019 and 2020 the United States was energy independent for the first time. The USA was producing so much energy we were selling it to other countries. 2021 – 2024 we stopped exporting fuel and became dependent on other countries for energy. In 2025 the USA finally is getting back to where we were in 2020.
There are people who dislike the use of carbon fuels, and as a result power plants are being shut down. Southern California shut down a coal fired plant and now there are rolling brownouts in Southern California because the current systems for providing energy are not able to handle the load. In the past 6 years since we were energy independent we lost four petroleum refineries in California Phillips 66 in SOCAL, Marathon Martinez, and two right here in our own Congressional district!!! Phillips 66 Rodeo, Valero Benicia. Just think about all the lost jobs and energy.
While the rest of the country is watching fuel prices dropping to reasonable prices we here in California are paying $1.50+ in fees in taxes on every gallon of fuel. California is a petroleum island. There are no pipelines coming into or out of California. Meanwhile the rest of the country is networked in with thousands of miles of pipelines. Since California does not want to allow more exploration for oil in California the result is we must import oil for refining. Also California requires special blends of fuel which is expensive to make.
We live in constant fear of the grids failing and deadly wildfires. We are being forced to live with rolling brownouts to ensure our power doesn’t shut off. Rolling brownouts are commonplace to prevent overloading of energy consumption and electrical equipment failure that can cause a wildfire when the equipment is destroyed by high winds. Do you know where else rolling brownouts are common? Third World Countries!!! What is the solution?
France seems to have a good handle on nuclear energy and 75% of the country receives energy from nuclear plants. If France can do this why can’t the US? Green power only works when the sun is shining or wind is blowing. When the wind stops and the sun doesn’t shine, there’s no energy. Look what happened in Texas in February 2021 during a blizzard. One reason why Texas lost power was because the system relied on green energy to provide 35% of the energy for the grid. When the green energy failed the system was overloaded due to a loss of 35% of green energy.
The those who do not like fossil fuels refuse to look at the cleanest and safest form of energy: nuclear energy!!! If nuclear energy is so dangerous, why would the US Military power their largest aircraft carriers and submarines with nuclear power plants? When a disaster hits a country that needs assistance, why does the US send an aircraft carrier? Besides the capability of providing medical attention, an aircraft carrier’s nuclear plant can power a small city.
We can solve this by and make life easier for Californians by allowing more oil exploration, lowering fees and regulations on oil refineries, considering reopening closed California nuclear plants and the implementation of nuclear Small Modular Reactors (SMR).
We in California need to do better and elect representatives who care about the people of California.
