U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright challenged California Governor Gavin Newsom’s assertion that the state runs on 100% clean energy for part of the day. Wright stated that more than 70% of California’s total energy consumption still comes from oil and natural gas.

In a post on X on September 22, 2026, Wright responded to a Newsom post claiming the state had run on 100% clean electricity for at least part of the day on nine out of 10 days in 2026. "If only the Governor or his team understood the difference between electricity and energy," Wright wrote, noting that this misunderstanding contributes to California having the highest electricity prices in the continental U.S.

Grid Output and Energy Mix

Wright argued that California’s electricity grid is "producing less electricity than it did 10 years ago." He emphasized that while renewable generation may peak during specific hours, the broader energy sector remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels. This contradicts the administration's narrative of a fully decarbonized grid, highlighting a divergence between electricity generation metrics and total primary energy consumption.

Import Dependency and Political Context

Wright’s critique extends to California’s reliance on imported petroleum. According to data from the California Energy Commission, the state imported a total of 289,748 barrels of oil in 2025. Of this volume, 50,783 barrels were sourced from Iraq, making it the second-largest source after Brazil, which supplied 52,115 barrels. Wright cited these figures to argue that without measures adopted by President Donald Trump, "there would be gas lines in California and trucks wouldn't be moving."

The exchange follows criticism from Newsom regarding energy supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz caused by escalating tensions with Iran. Newsom questioned the Trump administration's actions in protecting consumers from rising energy costs related to supply chain woes. Additionally, Newsom slammed the administration over the Environmental Protection Agency's decision to repeal pollution limits on coal and gas power plants. The governor stated that California intends to sue the administration over the EPA rollback.

E15 Gasoline Rollout

Amid high fuel prices, Newsom’s administration announced new legislation on Monday to roll out E15 gasoline in the state. E15 gas consists of 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline. The blend has been touted as a better, cleaner alternative to traditional gas. Earlier this month, Newsom had criticized Trump and Wright, alleging the administration knew of the impact the Strait of Hormuz’s closure would have on fuel costs but failed to deter it.

What the Numbers Show

The data reveals a structural disconnect between electricity generation trends and total energy demand. While Newsom highlights periods where renewable sources meet 100% of electricity demand, Wright points to the fact that 70% of total energy consumption (including transportation and industrial heat) remains tied to oil and gas. Furthermore, with imports accounting for a significant portion of supply, the state's vulnerability to global geopolitical shocks, such as those in the Strait of Hormuz, persists despite local renewable capacity gains.