California’s recent encounter with an oil tanker from the Middle East has sparked a heated response from President Donald Trump’s energy advisor, highlighting the state’s growing energy challenges and the implications for national security. As the oil crisis intensifies, California finds itself at the epicenter, with surging gas prices underscoring the urgency of the situation.
A spokesperson from the Department of Energy expressed deep concern over the state’s reliance on foreign oil, remarking to the California Post on Tuesday that such dependency poses a significant risk, especially during periods of military conflict. “This is an untenable threat to our national security,” the spokesperson emphasized, pointing out the paradox of California, a state hosting over 30 military installations, leaning heavily on imported energy sources.
The arrival of the final Middle Eastern oil tanker at Long Beach on Monday signals a critical juncture. This vessel may be the last from the Strait of Hormuz to reach California for the foreseeable future, creating uncertainty about the stability of the region’s fuel supply chain.
With this backdrop, the energy advisor’s office criticized California’s policy choices, arguing that they have left the state’s economy, contributing $4.1 trillion to the nation’s GDP, vulnerable. The criticism extends to state leaders who, according to the advisor’s office, are hindering efforts to bolster domestic energy infrastructure and production.
As the tanker prepares to depart, California faces heightened pressure to address these vulnerabilities and secure a stable flow of energy, with the timeline for future shipments remaining unclear.
“Instead of correcting these self-inflicted vulnerabilities, California leaders are attempting to block the Secretary’s efforts to restart critical infrastructure and strengthen domestic energy production,” the office of Chris Wright wrote to The Post.
California has been at odds with the federal government for a number of reasons, and one of the more contentious issues has been oil.
The Trump administration signed an executive order to grant Sable Offshore permission to resume operations on a pipeline in Santa Barbara that was shut down after a massive oil spill.
California, in response, sued, and a judge ordered an injunction against continuing operations, along with an $18 million fine for the company. Sable Offshore is actively challenging state-level legal restrictions by leveraging federal intervention.
“California leaders should stop prioritizing political agendas over America’s energy security,” a spokesperson with Wright’s office told The Post.
California has also moved away from in-state oil production. The state’s oil output has fallen by about 75% since its peak in the 1980s.
The state imports more than 60% of its crude oil from foreign countries and Alaska to meet energy demand, often described as an “oil island” due to the lack of pipelines from other US regions.
The Phillips 66 Carson/Wilmington facility and the Valero Benicia refinery were closed, reducing California’s refining capacity by roughly 17–18% and raising concerns about potential fuel price increases and supply shortages.
The Phillips 66 plant shut down in late 2025, while the Valero facility followed in April 2026, marking a major and rapid shift in the state’s energy infrastructure.
The Santa Ynez pipeline restart “marks a 15% increase in California’s in-state oil production, which will replace almost 1.5 million barrels of foreign crude oil each month,” according to the Department of Energy.
California has the highest gas tax in the US, at 61.2 cents per gallon for the state excise tax. As of Tuesday, gas prices stand at over $6 per gallon on average — about $2 more than the national average, according to AAA.
