December 12, 2025 – When Interior Secretary Doug Burgum called California a “national security risk” during a recent interview, he was pointing to a serious problem. California’s energy policies are not only increasing costs for families and businesses, but also deepening our country’s reliance on foreign oil. These choices are undermining the very idea of American energy independence.
At Fueling Freedom, we believe energy policy should be built on three pillars: affordability, reliability, and independence. Unfortunately, states like California and New York are moving in the opposite direction. They are shutting down refineries, blocking energy infrastructure, and importing oil from overseas to meet their growing demand. These decisions drive up energy costs and make the United States more vulnerable on the global stage.
California once had over 40 oil refineries. Today, that number is down to just nine, and more are preparing to close or move to states that support energy development. Over 60 percent of California’s oil now comes from foreign countries, including Iraq. This oil travels thousands of miles to reach the same gas pumps where Californians pay some of the highest fuel prices in the country. According to Secretary Burgum, the average gas price in California is nearly double what it is in Texas, Oklahoma, or North Dakota.
This is more than an economic issue. It is a national security concern. In 2018, during a cold snap, New England imported natural gas from Russia because it could not access supplies from Pennsylvania. Why? Because pipeline projects were blocked by state governments. That should never happen in a country with energy resources as vast as ours.
The Texas Model: Prioritizing Practical Solutions
In contrast, Texas is showing the rest of the country what smart energy leadership looks like. The state continues to permit pipelines, support refining and production, and build the infrastructure needed to meet rising energy demand. Texas has also embraced innovation by investing in carbon capture, natural gas exports, and new power generation. It is helping power not just Texas, but the rest of the country and our allies abroad.
Texas leads by example. It welcomes energy investment. It puts workers to work. It builds. These choices are why fuel and electricity prices in Texas remain lower than in California and New York. The U.S. Department of Energy recently reported that blue states have average electricity rates of 18 cents per kilowatt-hour. Red states average just 11 cents. That difference adds up to hundreds of dollars per year for every household.
What Needs to Change
The solution is not complicated. America must return to a mindset that values energy abundance. That means permitting new infrastructure, reducing regulatory roadblocks, investing in advanced technologies, and producing more of what we use right here at home. We must also revive the domestic industries that support energy independence, such as refining, critical minerals, and rare earth element processing.
According to Secretary Burgum, China now graduates around 12,000 metallurgy experts each year, compared to just 600 in the United States. That gap puts us at a disadvantage. It is time to rebuild those capabilities and take control of our energy future.
Fueling Freedom’s Mission
Fueling Freedom is committed to policies that make America stronger. Energy dominance is not just a phrase. It is a necessary strategy for economic growth, national security, and individual prosperity. It starts with making smart policy choices at the federal and state level.
States like Texas are demonstrating that it is possible to grow the economy, support clean energy innovation, and lower costs for families at the same time. They are leading the way by removing obstacles and encouraging economic growth.
Now is the time for Washington and states like California to follow that example. The path to affordable, reliable energy is clear. All we need is the leadership to pursue it.
Let’s move forward by building, investing, and putting American energy first.