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California Republicans warn Newsom his oil refining ‘phase-out’ endangers military readiness
EXCLUSIVE: Nearly half of California’s Republican congressional delegation sent a letter Tuesday warning Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stringent fossil fuel policies endanger national security in part due to the Golden State’s military prominence.
The letter, led by Rep. David Valadao of the San Joaquin Valley, expressed “grave concerns” that Newsom’s “deliberate… hamstring[ing]” of oil refining hurts not only California taxpayers but the U.S. military.
Valadao said the state has more than two dozen active military installations that rely on fossil fuels like petroleum and oil, and that without California at a fuller refining capacity, those installations must rely on foreign sources.
“[S]hould your administration continue down this path of shortsighted energy management, we can expect the state’s military installations – as well as other first lines of defense – to be entirely dependent upon foreign fuels by the midcentury,” the letter reads.
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom was recently ripped by critics for describing California as a “national model” for combatting homelessness. (California Governor Gavin Newsom YouTube channel)
The letter — also signed by Reps. Ken Calvert, Young Kim, Jay Obernolte and John Duarte — said California now hosts only nine remaining oil refineries and cited a 2021 Newsom memo seeking to “phase-out oil extraction.”
That memo denoted a 2045 deadline to halt all production, with the letter noting there is no contingency policy in place if residents continue their daily usage of 1.8 million barrels.
“When we depend on foreign oil, we are all too vulnerable to global supply disruptions and price spikes, which significantly impacts our economy and our ability to maintain a strong military presence,” the letter warned.
“By increasing our domestic energy production and reducing our reliance on foreign oil, we can protect ourselves against these risks and ensure that we have a stable and reliable energy source.”
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Rep. David Valadao, R-Calif. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
The missive acknowledged Newsom’s quest to shift the state to green-sourced electrical power, but added a balance must be struck until such infrastructure is tested and available.
It also warned of potential catastrophe for both the military and civilian populations in California, as photographs of signage depicting gas prices there topping $6 and $7 per gallon have gone viral in recent years.
“Your call to prematurely end the fossil fuel industry in our state not only has serious consequences for the military infrastructure in California, but it is a potential catastrophe for the future lack of affordability and availability of transportation fuels,” the letter read, as photographs of $6 per gallon California gas prices often make national headlines.
An aerial view of the California State Capitol in Sacramento. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
The letter went on to demand Newsom provide related information to lawmakers by Sept. 1, including whether and what strategies are in place to ensure energy sourcing to military installations remains operational.
The lawmakers also requested Newsom answer for the 55,000 fossil fuel industry jobs that could be displaced, as well as how to help Californians deal with expected price spikes and reliance on foreign oil sources.
In response to the letter, Newsom spokesperson Alex Stack criticized Republicans for doing “anything for their Big Oil donors.” “They should do their own research first,” he said.
“California gas prices are the lowest in three years and our new price gouging accountability measures will help save money at the pump. At the same time, the Department of Defense has elevated climate change as a national security priority and outlined the strategic need for clean energy – both of which California is leading on and providing the innovations that our military partners will utilize for our country’s national security.”
There are 40 Democrats and 12 Republicans in Congress representing California.
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Camaree Uljua, Belgrade’s director of Public Works, said that the city will now advance to American Waterworks Association national conference in Washington D.C., but the victory comes with another valuable perk.
“We have a bit of a lighthearted rivalry with Bozeman and some of the bigger cities in the state,” Uljua said. “It’s kind of bragging rights.”
LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — State officials say they are ready to provide assistance to the 999 people laid off from Spirit Airlines.
The Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) said it will support former Spirit employees with reemployment services, retraining opportunities and more.
Impacted workers can also file for unemployment insurance at NUI.nv.gov.
“DETR is committed to supporting every Nevada worker affected by the Spirit Airlines layoffs,” department Director Christopher Sewell said in a statement. “Our team is ready to provide timely resources, guidance, and individualized assistance to help impacted employees navigate their next steps.”
Rapid Response is a free program that provides strategies for layoffs and plant closures. It quickly coordinates services and provides immediate support to employers and affected workers.
Employees can access no-cost career and training services through EmployNV. This includes career counseling and job-search assistance, skills assessments and re-skilling opportunities, and training grants for high-demand career fields.
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo encouraged anyone who was laid off to use DETR’s resources.
“Our priority is getting folks back to work right away, and the state stands ready to assist with no-cost employment services to help with the transition,” Lombardo said in a statement.
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Spirit ceased operations on May 2 after failing to secure a government bailout. The company notified Nevada DETR that it was laying off 999 employees based at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas as a result.
The professional rodeo season continues to heat up as we head into the spring and summer runs. Rodeos across the country drew top athletes over the recent weekend, as they vie for positions at the 2026 National Finals Rodeo (NFR).
Every dollar counts, especially as we enter the last five months of the 2026 season.
Riverdale Rodeo – Riverdale, Calif.
Bareback rider Jacob Lees earned two California victories on the weekend, scoring 81.5 points on Four Star Rodeo’s Sweet Annie in Riverdale. His 83.5-point ride on Bridwell Pro Rodeos’ Socket claimed the win in Stonyford.
Reigning Circuit Champion, Hayle Gibson-Stillwell, topped the barrel racing by two-tenths of a second with her time of 17.04 sconds.
Stonyford Rodeo – Stonyford, Calif.
California cowboy Bailey Small put together a solid weekend in his circuit, winning Stonyford with an 82.5-point ride on Bridwell Pro Rodeos’ Classy Clark. He also finished second in Riverdale.
Barrel racer Kathy Petska continues to dominate the circuit, claiming yet another spring win with a 17.50-second run.
American Royal Rodeo – Kansas City, Mo.
There are now two “Popes” to watch out for in the bareback riding — three-time NFR Average Champion and World Champion, Jess Pope, and his brother, Ty. Ty made a huge ride in Kansas City, scoring 87 points on Smith Pro Rodeos’ Broadway Boots for the win.
In 2025, Kansas cowboy Weston Patterson made his first NFR appearance and has carried that momentum into his 2026 season. Scoring 88 points on Korkow Rodeos’ Joker Poker, he claimed the saddle bronc riding win.
Pioneer Days Rodeo – Clovis, N.M.
Tie-down roper Buck Tate earned the win by over two full seconds, taking home $1,404.
Reigning Breakaway Roping World Champion Taylor Munsell claimed the $2,054 victory with a time of 1.8 seconds.
Helotes Festival Association Rodeo – Helotes, Texas
In bareback riding, Taylor Broussard matched up with Andrews Rodeo’s Empty Promises for a score of 85.5 points to earn the win.
Seven-time NFR qualifier, Isaac Diaz, topped the leaderboard with a score of 89 points on Diamond G Rodeo’s To The Limit. He earned the win in saddle bronc riding and $1,855.
PPCLA PRCA Rodeo – Mineral Wells, Texas
Sissy Winn put together a solid weekend in her circuit, topping the barrel racing in Mineral Wells and finishing fourth in Helotes.
Hailing from Winnie, Texas, Ethan Winckler made the only qualified ride in bull riding, scoring 87.5 points on Rafter G Rodeo’s Mr. Blue Sky and taking home a whopping $4,863.
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