California Can’t Regulate Its Way Out of Paying for Mineral Rights

California can’t regulate its way out of paying for mineral rights

Recently, Governor Gavin Newsom granted a small respite to California’s relentless attack on the state’s natural resources. Newsom signed the “California Energy Affordability and Security Act,” which allows Kern County to approve 2,000 oil and gas drilling permits a year without going through California’s arduous environmental review process. This is a positive development, but it comes in the face of substantial state-erected obstacles to extra…

California Greenlights New Oil Drilling to Offset Refinery Closures - Mansfield Energy

California has approved new legislation aimed at strengthening the state’s fuel supply as refining capacity continues to decline. Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 237, authorizing up to 2,000 new oil well permits each year in Kern County starting in January 2026. The bill seeks to increase local crude output and reduce reliance on out-of-state sources. California currently produces about 119,000 barrels of crude oil per day, which accoun…