Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) is facing mounting criticism over energy policies that some claim have driven up costs, undermined affordability, and jeopardized U.S. security. 

The outgoing Democratic governor’s policies have forced Californians to pay some of the highest gas and electricity prices in the nation and imposed regulations that have pushed more than 360 energy companies out of the state. Since Newsom took office in 2019, new oil drilling permits have also fallen by 95%, resulting in California producing 128 million fewer barrels of oil per day over the past five years, despite holding the fifth-largest petroleum reserves in the country, Rep. Vince Fong (R-CA) said.