U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright accused California Governor Gavin Newsom of driving the nation's highest electricity, gasoline, and diesel prices amid rising costs linked to the Iran war.

In a post on X on September 15, 2026, Wright stated that "almost everything Gavin Newsom says about energy is false." He argued that without measures adopted by President Donald Trump, "there would be gas lines in California and trucks wouldn't be moving."

What the Numbers Show

Wright's claims regarding California's energy dependency rely on specific import figures. 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. This data highlights a significant reliance on overseas sources for the state's petroleum needs.

Political Context

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. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) also criticized the EPA's decision earlier this week.

Wright further alleged that California has done "everything wrong to make energy expensive in peacetime and in times of conflict," citing national security concerns due to the state importing 60% of its oil from overseas.