California lawmakers pass bill to boost oil production

Why fast-tracking oil drilling in California won’t lower prices at the pump

Lawmakers just enabled fast-tracking of new oil drilling permits in Kern County. Gas prices are mainly moved by other economic forces.

California Passes Bill to Boost Oil Production Amid Refinery Shutdowns

California lawmakers this weekend passed Senate Bill 237, a sweeping measure designed to revive in-state crude production in response to declining refining capacity, rising import dependence, and widespread concern about gasoline prices. The new law allows up to 2,000 new oil well drilling permits per year in Kern County beginning January 2026, with the explicit objective of pushing California oil producers to supply close to 25% of the crude us…

Aside from the oil permit bill, Kern's lawmakers are mixed on outcome of legislative session

Kern County's state lawmakers are praising the passage of a bill allowing oil drilling to resume in Kern County but little else following the end of this year's legislative session.

California lawmakers pass bill to boost oil production

By Nicole Jao NEW YORK (Reuters) -California lawmakers passed a bill over the weekend that would allow the construction of thousands of new oil wells annually in the Golden State in a bid to make oil supply more affordable for refineries and keep fuel prices in check for consumers. The new bill, SB 237, would award the oil-rich Kern County up to 2,000 permits each year, effective January 2026. The aim is to have California oil producers supply c…

Texas Issued 560 Drilling Permits in August, San Angelo Among Top Areas

SAN ANGELO, TX — The Railroad Commission of Texas issued 560 original drilling permits in August 2025, including 482 to drill new oil or gas wells, according to data released by the agency. The permits included 106 for oil, 52 for gas, 367 for oil and gas, 24 for injection, two for service, and six for other well types. The commission also approved eight reentries of plugged wellbores, six field transfers, 63 re-completions, and one reclass. Lea…

California Bill Awaiting Gov’s Signature to Boost Oil, Gas Output

The bill paves the path for regulators in California’s oil-rich Kern County to approve up to 2,000 new oil and gas well permits annually.