Newsom’s Grid Gamble Sparks Military Panic

Man in sunglasses wearing a blue button-up shirt.

California’s reckless energy overhaul under Gavin Newsom has left the state’s power grid fragile, threatening both economic stability and the operational readiness of our military—yet leftist leaders still call it progress.

Story Snapshot

Newsom’s push for renewables and refinery shutdowns risks blackouts and threatens military energy security
Bipartisan energy reforms claim to lower costs, but critics warn of surging prices and grid instability
California’s climate agenda is blamed for lost oil jobs and rising economic uncertainty
Ongoing debate pits climate goals against energy reliability and core American security interests

Newsom’s Energy Policies: Driving Instability and Raising Alarms

Since 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom has waged a campaign against traditional energy, accelerating California’s transition to renewables while targeting fossil fuel production for extinction. His administration’s moves—massive clean energy mandates, tighter emissions rules, and refinery shutdowns—have led to a grid increasingly reliant on intermittent power sources.

Industry experts now warn that the rapid closure of major oil refineries, projected to reach a loss of 20% of California’s remaining capacity by early 2026, could push the grid toward rolling blackouts and price spikes, especially during peak demand. These measures have not only increased the risk of energy shortages but are fueling frustration among Californians who remember the reliability and affordability of previous decades.

Military installations in California, which depend on stable power for national defense, are caught in the crossfire of Newsom’s energy agenda. With a complex grid that already faces high demand and wildfire risks, any disruption in supply jeopardizes critical military operations.

Analysts and defense officials have voiced concerns that unreliable power could undermine readiness, with some warning that blackouts or price surges could directly impair base functions. The military’s reliance on secure, affordable energy is non-negotiable, making the state’s current direction not just an economic issue, but a national security vulnerability in the eyes of many experts.

Bipartisan Energy Package: Savings or Smoke and Mirrors?

In September 2025, Newsom signed a so-called “historic” bipartisan energy package intended to lower electricity bills, stabilize gas markets, and accelerate clean energy expansion. Administration officials tout billions invested in grid reliability, wildfire mitigation, and affordable energy, claiming the reforms have delivered the largest electricity bill refunds in a decade.

However, critics argue that these headline-grabbing savings are offset by the longer-term risks: refinery closures, job losses in oil-producing communities, and the looming threat of grid instability. Many working families and small businesses see little relief as energy costs remain high and reliability uncertain, raising doubts about the true impact of these reforms.

Industry insiders and oil producers, particularly in Kern County, face mounting pressure as regulatory hurdles and state mandates make it harder to maintain operations. The loss of refining capacity not only threatens jobs and local economies but also reduces California’s flexibility to respond to energy crises.

While clean energy advocates hail the state’s leadership in battery storage and renewables—California boasted record growth in battery capacity in late 2025—critics argue that these gains do little to offset the economic pain inflicted on traditional energy workers and consumers. The result is a state increasingly divided over whether ambitious climate goals should come at the expense of core economic and security interests.

Balancing Climate Ambitions with Real-World Consequences

California’s climate-first approach puts the nation’s most populous state at the center of a national debate over energy, jobs, and security. Newsom’s supporters highlight the promise of a 100% clean grid by 2045 and point to billions saved in climate initiatives and job creation in renewable energy.

Yet, critics—ranging from oil industry leaders to military analysts—question whether these promises can be kept without sacrificing grid reliability and economic stability. The loss of refinery jobs, local tax revenue, and reliable power supply has already left many families and businesses in limbo.

What’s at stake is more than just California’s energy future. If the state’s experiment in aggressive decarbonization leads to routine shortages or undermines military readiness, the repercussions could be felt nationwide.

The ongoing controversy underscores the need for policies rooted in common sense, not political grandstanding—a reminder that energy security, national defense, and prosperity are inseparable from a balanced, reliable power grid.

Expert Warnings and Ongoing Uncertainty

While government sources and environmental groups continue to defend the reforms as bold and necessary, opposition voices highlight the tangible risks—refinery closures, soaring prices, and grid instability—that could intensify in the coming years. The debate has become a flashpoint for broader concerns about government overreach, economic priorities, and the erosion of American energy independence.

As California barrels ahead with its green ambitions, the rest of the country watches closely, wary of similar experiments that could threaten the values and security Americans hold dear. For now, the state’s energy future remains uncertain—and critics warn that the costs of “leading the way” may ultimately be too high.

Newsom's war on energy is crippling California and undermining our military https://t.co/FNQg9Eu2az

— Lois Levine Fishman (@FishmanLevine) November 24, 2025

With the Biden era over and President Trump’s administration prioritizing American energy and national security, the contrast could not be starker. Californians, and indeed all Americans, must stay vigilant against policies that erode the foundations of prosperity, security, and constitutional liberty. The battle over energy is not just about kilowatts—it’s about the future of American strength and freedom.