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.
Additional California News and Analysis
Oil and gas
The California Coastal Commission warned Sable Offshore it could face a cease-and-desist order unless it seeks a coastal development permit for resumed oil production off Gaviota (Santa Barbara Independent, June 17, 2026).
California senator Alex Padilla and Washington senator Patty Murray sent a letter to the Department of Energy stating that funding a west coast petroleum reserve “would violate Congressional intent” of the Fiscal Year 2026 Energy and Water Appropriations bill. (Office of Senator Alex Padilla, June 17, 2026).
Commentary and analysis
Noah Baustin, “Here’s how a small oil company became a weapon in Trump’s assault on California,” Politico, June 22, 2026.
Offshore wind
The Trump administration is paying developers millions of dollars to cancel offshore wind projects, accelerating its broader retreat from federal support for wind energy (New York Times, June 17, 2026).
The Trump administration announced a $765 million agreement with Invenergy to terminate four offshore wind leases, including one off Morro Bay, further shrinking the U.S. offshore wind pipeline (Politico Pro, June 17, 2026).
Solar
Solar generation surpassed natural gas in California’s grid during the first five months of 2026, reflecting rapid growth in solar and battery installations (Bloomberg Law, June 26, 2026).
Kern County supervisors approved the Discovery Solar PV and Storage Project, which officials expect to generate about $44 million in property tax revenue in its first year of operation (KGET, June 16, 2026).
Vehicle emissions
California sued the EPA over its decision to send state vehicle emissions waivers to Congress for potential reversal, arguing the move unlawfully threatens California’s clean-air authority (Reuters, June 22, 2026).
Data centers
Gov. Gavin Newsom faces renewed pressure over data center regulation as California lawmakers consider bills addressing facilities’ energy use, water demand, and transparency requirements (Los Angeles Times, June 21, 2026).
Legislation
SB 493 would add “war” to the list of emergencies under which it would be price-gouging for a person or business to sell specified goods and services, including gasoline, for 10% more than previously charged.
Additional News and Analysis
Oil and gas
The IEA said the oil market is expected to recover gradually from Hormuz disruptions before shifting into a significant supply surplus in 2027 (Reuters, June 17, 2026).
Commentary and analysis
Malcolm Moore, Nassos Stylianou, Alice Hancock, Lucy Rodgers, Irene de la Torre Arenas and Dan Clark, “The long way back from the Iran energy shock,” FT, June 16, 2026.
International
China issued new rules to boost renewable energy consumption, shifting its clean-energy strategy from simply building capacity to ensuring more clean power is actually used (Bloomberg, June 22, 2026).
Critical minerals
China added U.S. rare earth companies, including MP Materials and USA Rare Earth, to its export control list, escalating critical minerals tensions with Washington (Bloomberg, June 22, 2026).
EVs
CATL plans to launch more than 30 battery-swapping stations for electric lorries in Europe by 2035 as the world’s largest battery maker bets the technology can cut fleet operators’ costs below those of diesel trucks. (FT, June 22, 2026).
Renewable energy
Michael Bloomberg has pledged almost $300mn to help renewable energy industry associations counter the oil lobby as countries around the world face tough policy decisions in the wake of the Middle East war. (FT, June 21, 2026).
Data centers
Commentary and analysis
Julie Steinberg and Kieran Smith in London, “Data centre investors navigate geopolitical strife as deals boom,” FT, June 16, 2026.