15% of CA primary energy consumption comes from ‘renewables.’ More than 75% of CA energy consumption is from oil and gas — that’s higher than the national rate. True or false?
15% of CA primary energy consumption comes from ‘renewables.’ More than 75% of CA energy consumption is from oil and gas — that’s higher than the national rate. True or false?
True. The California governor made this crazy claim. See below.
@GovPressOfficeCalifornia is now powered by 67% clean energy. Enjoy your asthma and black lung, Oil Shill Chris.
California politicians often cite electricity-only numbers, such as:
- “67% clean electricity” (which is true for retail electricity sales, not total energy)
But electricity is only about 20% of California’s total energy use. Transportation fuels alone (gasoline, diesel, jet fuel) make up ~40% of CA’s primary energy consumption. So, when you zoom out to total energy:
- Renewables ≈ 15%
- Oil + gas ≈ 75%+
- The rest is nuclear + hydro