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
CPUC Orders 6,000 MW of New Clean Energy and Storage Procurement Through 2032 (March 11, 2026) – The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved a major electricity procurement decision requiring utilities and other retail electricity providers to secure 6,000 megawatts (MW) of new clean energy and storage capacity between 2030 and 2032. The procurement decision aims to accelerate project development before federal clean-energy tax incentives begin phasing down. Read more.
Trump Administration Sues California over Electric Vehicle Mandate (March 13, 2026) – The Trump administration is suing the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to block enforcement of the state’s vehicle emissions rules. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) argues that the state’s fleetwide CO2 emissions regulation and zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales mandate conflict with federal law governing fuel economy standards. Read more.
Trump Administration Directs Sable to Restart Santa Ynez Unit Pipeline, Citing National Security (March 16, 2026) – The Trump administration directed Sable Offshore Corp. on March 13, 2026 to restart the oil pipeline system serving the Santa Ynez Unit offshore oil field, citing national security concerns and the need to strengthen domestic energy supply on the West Coast. Under the directive, Sable began transporting oil from the Santa Ynez Unit through the Las Flores Pipeline System from Las Flores Canyon in Santa Barbara County to Pentland Station in Kern County. Read more.
Additional California News and Analysis
Oil and gas
California Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton urged the leaders of California’s oil and gas industry to “not give up” on the state. The letter promises a sweeping overhaul of energy policy if the former Fox News host wins the governor’s race next year. New York Post, March 10, 2026.
Fossil fuel projects are sprinting through the permitting process under President Donald Trump, but it’s unclear whether that will lead to a bumper crop of pipelines, mines and oil wells. E&E News, March 10, 2026.
Oil drillers in central California are trucking crude barrels 50 miles after a refinery shut down and a key pipeline was idled, cutting off outlets for their products. The shutdown of the San Pablo Bay Pipeline has created a regional glut and is squeezing margins for California oil producers, with Kern crude selling at a $10 discount to Brent. Bloomberg, March 12, 2026.
Commentary and analysis
“California Has an Oil and Gas Problem,” Wall Street Journal, March 16, 2026.
Clark Savage, “California Is a National Security Risk of Gavin Newsom’s Making – The Iran Conflict is Exposing the National Security Crisis,” Energy News Beat, March 10, 2026.
Debra Montalvo Layton, “By stifling local oil production, California leaves itself vulnerable,” Los Angeles Times, Letters to the Editor, March 11, 2026.
Gasoline and fuels
As gas prices are on the rise, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who is running for governor of California, called on Sacramento to temporarily suspend the state’s gas tax. NBC, March 13, 2026.
Governor Gavin Newsom blamed President Trump for “triggering a global oil and gas price spike with no plan to protect American families from the fallout.” Governor’s Office, March 10, 2026.
A plan to increase jet in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s budget is triggering warnings of higher gas prices. But looming behind the proposed tax credit is the fear that without it, California could lose another refinery at a precarious moment for the global fuels market. Politico, March 10, 2026.
Rep. Fong, a Republican representing California’s 20th Congressional District, called on Gov. Gavin Newsom, California Air Resources Board Chair Lauren Sanchez, and California Energy Commission Vice Chair Siva Gunda to reconsider the implementation of CARB’s Cap-and-Invest proposal. He warned that it could drive up gas prices and threaten refinery operations. Fox 26, March 11, 2026.
Commentary and analysis
Noah Baustin, “Gavin Newsom wants to hand Donald Trump his gasoline price problem,” Politico, March 13, 2026.
Wind and solar
The California First Appellate District Court of Appeal upheld the California’s third-generation net metering system, known as NEM 3.0. The California Public Utilities Commission adopted the framework in 2022 to make rooftop solar users pay for a larger share of the fixed cost of maintaining the electricity grid. First Appellate District Court of Appeal; Utility Dive, March 10, 2026.
Santa Barbara’s Planning Commission is consider new rules for solar power. The county staff presented a tier system to define and regulate solar power development. Santa Barbara Independent, March 16, 2026.
Commentary and analysis
Kathryn Krawczyk, “A chapter of California’s rooftop solar battle closes,” Canary Media, March 13, 2026.
Renewable energy
Commentary and analysis
Alison F. Takemura, “Did fake comments sink SoCal clean heat rules? Advocates want answers.,” Canary Media, March 16, 2026.
Power and utilities
Assemblymember Tasha Boerner introduced amendments to AB 1677, which, with the new amendments, would limit the return on equity for utilities at 4% above the rate on long-term debt issued by the federal government.
Commentary and analysis
Jeff St. John, “As Californians electrify, can this tech combo prevent grid overload?,” Canary Media, March 10, 2026.
Carbon emissions
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo, California gubernatorial candidate Antonio Villaraigosa and state Democratic lawmakers are all piling on California’s climate regulators out of concern that new proposed rules for the state’s carbon emissions market will spike gas prices and drive in-state refineries out of business. E&E News, March 12, 2026; KCRA, March 15, 2026
Commentary and analysis
Dan Walters, “As gas prices soar, California’s new carbon emission rules prompt a war of words,” Cal Matters, March 12, 2026
Additional News and Analysis
Carbon emissions
The European Commission is considering relaxing carbon-permit supply rules and allowing more state aid to cut spiking power prices. The commission is exploring options such as temporarily easing rules on granting free emissions permits and allowing lower grid fees and energy taxes. Bloomberg, March 12, 2026.