Dear Candidates,

As mayors, county supervisors, business owners, and community leaders from across California, we hear every day from residents and small businesses struggling to keep up with rising costs. With residential electricity rates up 68% in six years – rising nearly twice as fast as other states – and fuel prices among the highest in the nation, energy affordability has become one of the most pressing challenges facing California families and businesses.

Higher energy costs impact the entire economy: grocery bills climb, homes become harder to build and more expensive to buy and healthcare costs increase even faster. The choices made in the next four years will determine whether California families gain stability – or face even higher costs and greater uncertainty. Our next Governor must lead the state on a new path that keeps energy affordability front and center.

While we can’t give up on our climate goals, we also can’t ignore the fact that we still depend on oil and gas for most of our energy use. With in-state oil production down 40% over the past six years, our state now spends $25 billion annually to import oil from elsewhere. At the same time, our ability to make our own gasoline is declining rapidly: California has just seven refineries operating statewide, down from dozens of refineries decades ago. If we keep shutting down energy capacities we still need, Californians will continue facing higher prices across the economy.

Our call is not partisan or political; it is about solving everyday problems facing California families. We ask the next Governor to:

• Make energy affordability a top priority alongside climate goals.
• Adopt an “all-of-the-above” approach where renewables, nuclear, hydro, and traditional fuels work together to provide abundant, reliable, affordable energy.
• Maintain and modernize our existing energy infrastructure until proven, reliable alternatives are in place.

Californians deserve energy policy rooted in real world practicality and compassion—policy that keeps the lights on, protects working and middle-class families, and supports a strong, growing economy. California has always led the nation. We ask you to lead again.

Signed By,