The vital role of California’s oil and gas industry in powering our economy

OPINION – You should have the right to choose whether the oil used in our cars and the numerous petroleum-based products we use daily comes from California or is imported from foreign countries thousands of miles away.

California’s oil and natural gas industry employs over 55,000 people, of which 40 percent have a high school or equivalent degree. Yet, they earn an average salary of $123,000. Our industry is also one of the leaders in providing job opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals.

Each day, 55,000 hardworking oil and gas workers wake up each morning to make sure Californians can get to work, power their homes, and keep our California economy moving forward.

Despite the housing and inflation struggles felt in every corner of California, some politicians and activists seek to eliminate these 55,000 well-paying jobs in our oil and gas industry while continuing to import foreign oil. This move would export middle-class jobs instead of supporting our local workforce.

Our oil and gas workers are more than just highly paid. They also receive benefits and labor protections. These benefits include healthcare, retirement, paid sick leave, time off to care for loved ones, vacation pay, and much more.

If we rely on oil imports from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Ecuador, Iraq, Nigeria, or Angola, will those governments care for our California families? Will they fund housing and support programs for our workers or contribute the lost revenue to our local communities?

A job represents much more than just a source of income for paying bills and saving for the future. It serves as a source of personal identity, instilling a sense of self-worth and fulfillment. When people engage in meaningful work, they experience a sense of purpose and satisfaction, positively impacting their overall well-being.

A good-paying job can help families meet their basic needs more comfortably, such as housing, food, healthcare, and education. Economic stability allows families to plan, save for emergencies, and invest in long-term financial goals.

If we rely on oil imports from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Ecuador, Iraq, Nigeria, or Angola, will those governments care for our California families?

According to a United Ways of California report called “Struggling to Move Up: The Real Cost Measure in California 2021,” 3.5 million families in the state cannot meet their basic needs. This situation disproportionately affects Latino and Black households compared to other communities. Shockingly, over half of the children in our state (54%) live in struggling households, with the most significant disparities seen in Latino and Black families.

Furthermore, in 2022, the U.S. Department of Housing and Community Development estimated that over 172,000 Californians experienced homelessness, giving our state the highest number of homeless individuals and the most significant increase in the homeless population among all states.

Eliminating 55,000 well-paying jobs and replacing them with foreign oil will not alleviate poverty or reduce homelessness.

Undoubtedly, there will be an increase in the number of fuel-efficient and electric vehicles on our roads each year. However, our oil and gas industry members power more than just cars. Our members supply the energy that powers the equipment used by over 35 military bases in California, the airplanes that transport more than 15 million passengers each year, and the machinery of the nation’s largest agricultural industry.

Even if the California State Legislature somehow grounded every plane and vehicle and eliminated every combustion engine, we still need California’s oil industry to make the over 6,000 petroleum-based products that our residents use daily, such as crayons, footballs, purses, sunglasses, mops, medical masks, inks, and so on.

The last barrel consumed in California should come from California, produced by our state workers, not through imports from foreign countries.

Rock Zierman is the Chief Executive Officer of the California Independent Petroleum Association.