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3 reasons California’s green energy campaign is dying on the vine
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California Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom’s presidential aspirations are Washington’s worst-kept secret. More than three years before the next election, he’s on the campaign trail in South Carolina, protesting immigration raids on cannabis farms and even politicizing the Second Family’s visit to Disneyland.
Before Newsom gets anywhere near Washington, he must “confront his California problem,” as even Politico observed. Blessed with incredible natural resources, the Golden State has the highest living costs in the nation. Nowhere is this trend more evident than in energy, where there is a direct correlation between Newsom’s wrong-headed policies and overall unaffordability.
Here are three examples.
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California gas taxes are going up
At $4.51 per gallon, California drivers already pay the most at the pump — that’s 45% higher than the national average, which hit a four-year low during the recent Independence Day holiday and kept dropping.
California gas prices continue to be far higher than the national average. FILE: Traffic jam during rush hour commute on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California, USA.
As bad as that sounds, the pain is only just beginning. On July 1, motorists were hit with another 1.6-cent gas tax, and overall gas taxes are expected to cost the average household $612 over the course of the year. A separate $0.05-$0.09 tax increase is expected not far behind. Newsom’s office touted the decline in gas prices by issuing a press release bragging about it.
California refineries are closing
Sadly, the latest gas tax could pale in comparison to other factors. Industry experts are projecting a gallon of gas potentially reaching $8 in the aftermath of California refinery closures.
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For crude oil to become a usable petroleum product like gasoline, it must go through the refining process. Earlier this year, the Phillips 66 refinery in Los Angeles and the Valero refinery in Benicia announced plans to close by 2026, taking nearly 20% of the state’s total gasoline production with them, not to mention hundreds of jobs.
The trend is part of a sad and steady decline directly attributed to increasing red tape and regulations. During the 1980s, under the presidential administration of its former governor Ronald Reagan, California had as many as 43 operating refineries, a number that plummeted to just 14 last year, a drop of 67%. This is not for lack of resources. In fact, California has the fifth most oil reserves in the nation, outpacing places like Colorado and Oklahoma more often associated with the industry.
California is home to extreme green policies
Newsom has denigrated the oil and gas industry as the “polluted heart of this climate crisis.” He accused them of “lying and gouging Californians” and blamed them for “more kids getting asthma.”
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Along the way, he pursued policies aimed at making his state “carbon neutral” by 2045. That’s political speak for ending oil and gas entirely in favor of “cleaner” forms of energy like wind and solar, which are unreliable, untested and often rely on products from China (where roughly 80% of the world’s solar panels are manufactured).
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A lynchpin of Newsom’s scheme was forcing drivers into electric vehicles. By 2035, less than a decade from now, 100% of vehicles sold in California were to be electric under a Newsom administration mandate that the U.S. Senate thankfully overturned in May.
As painful as the edict would have been for California’s nearly 40 million residents, the shockwaves were set to extend far and wide. As many as 13 states were on a track to follow where California was leading.
Turning Point USA leader Charlie Kirk (right) is the guest on California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (left) inaugural edition of his “This is Gavin Newsom” podcast. (Gavin Newsom on X)
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To his political credit, Newsom appears aware of the unpopularity of some of his policies. He went on Turning Point USA President Charlie Kirk’s podcast and turned heads by calling the concept of biological men competing in women’s sports “unfair,” but that demonstrates the power the green movement.
Newsom is far more likely to flip-flop on cultural issues than admit the green agenda is failing his state. In the aftermath of President Donald Trump making the rollback of the EV mandates official, Newsom’s administration immediately took legal action and signed an executive order “doubling down” (his words) on his commitment to the nonsensical plan.
At the heart of the dissatisfaction with the Biden years was inflation and high costs of living, making it the top priority for more than six in 10 voters. Making energy expensive made life expensive and Americans could not afford another four years of Biden/Harris energy policies. Newsom’s stubborn commitment to the failed green agenda, which has failed California spectacularly, should send his White House bid sputtering before it gets out of the starting gates.
DANIEL TURNER
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The Oregon Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at April 30, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 30 drawing
1PM: 7-1-4-0
4PM: 1-4-7-0
7PM: 7-0-6-4
10PM: 8-5-1-3
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Oregon Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 7:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 7:59 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 4: 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. daily.
- Win for Life: 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Megabucks: 7:29 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Oregon editor. You can send feedback using this form.
UTAH, April 30, 2026 (Gephardt Daily) — The Utah Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division has revealed that one turkey hunter was shot by another during opening weekend of the hunting season.
“Opening weekend should be about the thrill of the hunt and the quiet of the woods,” the news release says. “Instead, it served as a harrowing reminder of how quickly a mistake can turn a hunt into a tragedy.
“During the opening of the limited-entry turkey season, a hunter was shot and required emergency medical treatment. The victim was positioned in vegetation behind their decoys. Another hunter, spotting the decoys, stalked in and fired—hitting the hunter concealed behind them.”
Unlike most big game seasons, turkey hunting does not require hunters to wear blaze orange, the release says.
“This makes visual identification your #1 responsibility. ‘I think it’s a bird’” isn’t good enough. You must positively identify the beard and the bird.
“Every round has a destination. If your target is in thick brush or near decoys, be aware of the ‘blind spots’ behind them.”
If you hear a gobble or see movement, wait, the statement says.
“Never fire at a flash of color or a movement in the brush. If you see another hunter approaching your setup, do not move. Speak up in a loud, clear voice to announce your location.
“The goal is to bring home a bird, but the priority is making sure everyone makes it home for dinner. Stay sharp, stay visible when moving, and always—always—confirm your shot.”
No additional information was released about the location of the shooting or the condition of the hunter hit.
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