Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced Sunday that the Trump administration is taking aggressive action to counter rising fuel costs by reopening offshore oil production in California. During a “Meet The Press” interview, Wright criticized the state’s long-standing opposition to domestic drilling, noting that decades of radical policies have left the region dangerously dependent on foreign oil. The Department of Energy has officially ordered Texas-based Sable Offshore Corp. to restart a critical pipeline system to address supply risks caused by the conflict in Iran.
“California once supplied nearly 40 percent of U.S. oil production,” the DOE stated in a press release, highlighting the sharp decline caused by Sacramento’s “green” energy mandates. Currently, more than 60 percent of the oil refined in California is imported from overseas, with a significant portion passing through the volatile Strait of Hormuz. Secretary Wright argued that the administration had to step in because California has “fought foolishly” to prevent new American oil from entering its own market.
Governor Gavin Newsom immediately blasted the move, labeling the restart an “illegal” attempt to sacrifice the state’s coastal economy and environment. Newsom, a vocal critic of the oil industry, claimed the pipeline operators face criminal charges and are prohibited by court orders from resuming operations. The Governor’s office signaled that California will not stand by as the federal government overrides state-level prohibitions on fossil fuel infrastructure.
Secretary Wright dismissed Newsom’s concerns, framing the action as a necessary step for national security as Operation Epic Fury continues. He also noted that the U.S. has coordinated a massive release of 400 million barrels of oil with over 30 nations to mitigate global price spikes. “And we said, ‘Enough is enough,’ and we’ve got new oil production coming on in California,” Wright told host Kristen Welker.
When pressed on Iranian projections that oil could hit $200 a barrel, Wright scoffed at the idea of taking cues from a regime that has called America “the great Satan” for 47 years. He predicted that while pricing may remain elevated during the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, the conflict is likely to conclude within a few weeks. The Secretary emphasized that the administration will continue to take “lots of actions” to protect American consumers at the pump.
As the 2026 midterms approach, the “American Manufacturing Renaissance” depends heavily on stabilizing energy costs and restoring domestic independence. Supporters of the move argue that the Trump-Wright strategy is a common-sense solution to the “vile” energy policies that have hampered the West Coast for years. For voters in Pennsylvania and beyond, the focus remains on ensuring that American energy—not Iranian threats—dictates the future of the economy.