Why is local energy essential?
Newsom: Energy is Essential
On March 19, following California Governor Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home order, the State Public Health Officer announced that our state’s energy industry constituted ‘essential work.’ We couldn’t agree more.
Petroleum products save lives during COVID-19
Did you know that Petroleum products are used to make the standard N-95 face mask, face shields, ventilators, and testing kits, among other life saving devices? Petroleum production has been key in protecting our citizens, allowing health-care professionals to operate, and stopping the spread of the virus.
Keep the toilet paper coming...
COVID-19 has stopped the world, but petroleum has allowed our supply chain to continue moving and has kept our essential products on the shelves and in our mailboxes.
No energy, no services
Energy powers our essential services. Before the crisis, many of us took our trash service for granted. Now we are thankful that our trash continues to be collected. We are thankful our lights are still on, our internet still works, and our sanitation services continue to operate. These would all be impossible without producing energy and petroleum.
Essential industry means essential workforce
Energy powers our essential services. Before the crisis, many of us took our trash service for granted. Now we are thankful that our trash continues to be collected. We are thankful our lights are still on, our internet still works, and our sanitation services continue to operate. These would all be impossible without producing energy and petroleum.
Foreign energy is unstable
COVID-19 has taught us how much damage can be caused by factors outside our control. California’s dependence on foreign oil is similar – it makes us more vulnerable to price wars, such as the ones started by Russia and Saudi Arabia. Why would we look outside our state for our energy when it creates so much risk?
Building the bridge back to normalcy
Although the pandemic seems to last forever, Californians will eventually go back to work. This return to normalcy will require reliable and affordable energy for our state’s citizens to get back to their jobs, schools, and livelihoods.