Massive breakthrough for California oil as desperately needed new sources get green light
New California oil and gas field leases OK'd after years of delays
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Prime Day ends tonight! Score these last-minute deals PoliticsMassive breakthrough for California oil as desperately needed new sources get green light
By Zain Khan Published June 25, 2026, 4:12 p.m. ETSee more of our coverage in your search results.
Add The California Post on GoogleA major federal decision has cleared the way for new oil and gas leasing on public lands across Central California, reopening energy development opportunities in eight counties despite fierce opposition from the state.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) — an agency within the United States Department of the Interior — announced this week it has finalized updated management plans governing oil and gas leasing and development on federal lands within portions of Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare and Ventura counties.
The decision allows the agency to restart oil and gas leasing within the Bakersfield Field Office region, ending a yearslong pause that stemmed from legal challenges and environmental reviews.
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Federal officials said the move fulfills obligations under a 2022 settlement agreement and aligns with the Trump administration’s push to increase domestic energy production.
The action covers a vast swath of federal land managed by the Bakersfield Field Office, which oversees roughly 400,000 acres of public land and about 1.2 million acres of federal mineral estate across Central California.
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Federal officials said energy activity tied to those lands supports approximately 3,500 jobs and generates more than $200 million annually. The agency also collects between $65 million and $90 million in royalty payments each year, with about half of that revenue flowing back to California and the remainder going to the US Treasury.
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The approval follows the completion of a supplemental environmental impact statement that examined the potential effects of future oil and gas leasing and development in the region.
BLM officials said the decision is consistent with Secretary’s Order 3418, which implements President Donald Trump’s energy agenda and encourages expanded development of oil, natural gas, coal, critical minerals and other energy resources on federal lands.
The order calls for energy projects to be developed in a manner that is efficient, affordable and reliable while supporting domestic production.
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The move is expected to be welcomed by supporters of the oil industry, particularly in Kern County, where energy production remains a major economic driver and employer.
But environmental advocates blasted the decision, warning it could lead to expanded drilling operations on public lands and increase greenhouse gas emissions.
“The Trump administration is sprinting forward with its eyes closed to hand over a million acres of California’s public lands to Big Oil. We’ll fight this with everything we’ve got,” said Cooper Kass, an attorney with the Climate Law Institute at the Center for Biological Diversity.
“It’s a reckless decision that shows who’s really calling the shots at the White House. From Ventura to the Bay Area, California’s public lands have always been a refuge for people and wildlife. We’ve got to protect these places and our communities from a government hellbent on lining this toxic industry’s pockets.”
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The decision marks the latest flashpoint in an ongoing clash between California officials and the Trump administration over energy policy.
Earlier this year, California sued the federal government over efforts to revive pipelines connected to offshore oil operations near Santa Barbara. Environmental groups have also raised alarms about other federal proposals that could expand future oil development opportunities along California’s coast.
For now, however, the BLM’s approval represents a significant victory for energy producers seeking access to federal lands in California and a key step forward in the administration’s effort to boost domestic oil and gas production.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
