This weekly newsletter highlights the latest from the California Energy Journal along with links to articles and analysis on key developments in California energy policy.
Questions, comments, or tips? Contact editor@californiaenergyjournal.com.
From the California Energy Journal
Bill to Hold Oil Companies Liable for Climate Disasters Reintroduced (February 9, 2026) – Senator Scott Wiener reintroduced legislation to authorize civil lawsuits against oil companies and other “responsible parties” for damages from climate change. SB 982, introduced on February 5, 2026, would authorize the state attorney general to bring a civil action against a responsible party for “climate-attributable damage.” SB 982 is a revised successor to SB 222, which was introduced in 2025. Read more.
Feds Subpoenaed Sable over Inside Information, Records Show (February 4, 2026) – Sable Offshore Corp. received subpoenas in December 2025 from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), seeking documents related to trading in the company’s securities and issues raised in an October 31, 2025 investigative report by Hunterbrook Media. The subpoenas add to a growing list of legal, regulatory, and political challenges facing the company as it seeks to restart offshore oil production in federal waters off Santa Barbara County. Read more.
Additional California News and Analysis
Oil and gas
The California Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approved 20 new drilling permits in January 2026, compared with 17 in all of 2025 and 73 in 2024. PR Newswire, February 5, 2026.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved emergency measure to raise rates on the San Pablo Bay pipeline system by 59.2% to “avoid suspension of pipeline operations.” The 373-mile pipeline transports crude oil from production areas in the San Joaquin Valley to refineries in the San Francisco Bay Area. The closure of Valero Energy’s Benicia refinery has caused the pipeline to run dry.
Commentary and analysis
Edward Ring, “Can California’s Oil Industry Survive?,” California Policy Center, February 4, 2026.
Joan Hartmann and Sigrid Wright, “Trump’s Energy Policy Isn’t About Security: It’s About Power — and It’s Costing America the Future,” Santa Barbara Independent, February 8, 2026.
Gasoline and fuels
Commentary and analysis
Dominic Pino, “These states are like a whole other country for gas prices: On fuel costs, Californians in particular are getting hosed.,” Washington Post, February 3, 2026.
Katy Grimes, “Valero Shut Down Benicia Refinery Jan 31st – CA Gas Prices Already Climbing,” California Globe, February 3, 2026.
Power and utilities
Commentary and analysis
Josiah Neeley, “California can reduce electric rates by easing state mandates,” OC Register, February 2, 2026.
EVs
New budget language lays out how Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to structure a $200 million electric vehicle rebate program, including price caps, automaker matching funds and a focus on first-time buyers. CalMatters, February 3, 2026.
California’s clean-truck voucher program reserved $165 million to subsidize Tesla’s Semi. That funding advantage may have further destabilized an already fragile heavy-duty electric truck market. Los Angeles Times, February 9, 2026.
Renewable energy
U.S. residential solar companies are preparing for a steep drop in business this year after the expiration of a 30% federal income tax credit for homeowners who purchase rooftop systems expired at the end of 2025 under President Donald Trump’s tax overhaul. Reuters, February 5, 2026.
Commentary and analysis
Maria Gallucci, “California has abundant solar power. Here’s how factories can use it.,” Canary Media, February 4, 2026.
Transportation
Commentary and analysis
Steven Greenhut, “California Doubles Down on a Boondoggle,” R Street, February 4, 2026.
Additional News and Analysis
Carbon emissions
The Trump administration is set to repeal a scientific determination, known as an endangerment finding, that greenhouse gas emissions endanger human health, overturning the legal basis for federal greenhouse-gas regulation. Reuters, February 9, 2026.
Renewable energy
Companies canceled or downsized more than $34 billion in U.S. clean energy projects last year, underscoring challenges facing renewables and low-carbon industries, according to a new report. E&E News, February 5, 2026.
Power and utilities
Commentary and analysis
Ken Girardin, “Electric Shock: Soaring energy prices are the result of misguided government policy—time for a course correction.,” City Journal, Winter 2026.