Caitlyn Jenner criticizes Newsom for fracking ban
Governor Newsom issues ban on fracking permits
Governor Gavin Newsom is banning new permits for hydraulic fracking beginning in 2024. His plan would halt the controversial oil extraction method and calls on state regulators to evaluate phasing out all oil production in the state by 2045. According to the California Department of Conservation, fracking accounts for just two percent of oil production in the state.
LOS ANGELES - Caitlyn Jenner criticized Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday for banning fracking, saying it would increase "our dependence on foreign oil, jeopardizes good-paying jobs and generates less state and local tax revenue to fund our schools, health care and firefighters."
Jenner's tweet, sent one day after she filed paperwork to run for governor in a likely recall election later this year, continued by saying "Tell Gavin we need less pandering to big tech donors." Newsom on Friday directed the Department of Conservation's Geologic Energy Management Division to initiate regulatory action to end the issuance of new permits for fracking by January 2024.
RELATED: California lawmaker proposes ban on fracking by 2027
Newsom also requested that the California Air Resources Board analyze pathways to phase out oil extraction across the state by no later than 2045. "The climate crisis is real and we continue to see the signs every day," Newsom said.
"As we move to swiftly decarbonize our transportation sector and create a healthier future for our children, I've made it clear I don't see a role for fracking in that future and, similarly, believe that California needs to move beyond oil."
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In announcing her candidacy Friday, Jenner said in a statement "for the past decade, we have seen the glimmer of the Golden State reduced by the one-party rule that places politics over progress and special interests over people."
"As Californians, we face a now-or-never opportunity to fundamentally fix our state before it's too late," Jenner said. "Taking on entrenched Sacramento politicians and the special interests that fund them requires a fighter who isn't afraid to do what is right. "I am a proven winner and the only outsider who can put an end to Gavin Newsom's disastrous time as governor."
Jenner is a Republican who has never sought public office. In recent years the 1976 Olympic decathlon gold medalist and reality television star has been a vocal advocate for the transgender community after coming out as a transwoman in 2015 and changing her name from Bruce to Caitlyn.
Newsom said in March that he expects the recall to qualify for the ballot. He also criticized the need for a special recall election, calling it a "waste of time" and money because the 2022 gubernatorial primary will be a few months later.
Newsom and his allies have tried to link recall supporters to former President Donald Trump, who is extremely unpopular in California.
Randy Economy, the senior advisor of RecallGavin2020, has described the recall effort as "a grassroots historical movement fueled by 2,125,000 people from all walks of life."
RELATED: Campaign to recall Gov. Newsom gains traction
The recall requires valid signatures from 1,495,709 registered voters,12% of the 12,464,235 votes cast in the 2018 gubernatorial election, to qualify for the ballot, according to the Secretary of State's Office.
Organizers of the recall effort have focused on Newsom's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, criticizing his lockdown measures as too restrictive, saying he has "failed at his job and destroyed the lives and business of too many hardworking Californians," according to RecallGavin2020.
RecallGavin2020 has also criticized Newsom for California's "unaffordable housing, record homelessness, rising crime, failing schools, independent contractors thrown out of work, exploding pension debt."
Newsom political adviser Dan Newman issued a statement Friday praising "Newsom's competent, compassionate, experienced leadership during an unprecedented series of crises."
Newsom's campaign quickly circulated a fundraising email Friday sayingJenner "is working closely with Donald Trump's former presidential campaign manager."
In response, Jenner tweeted, "Gavin Newsom is so threatened by our campaign that he's trying to fundraise off my announcement instead of focusing on doing his actual job."
"This is what entrenched politicians do," Jenner tweeted. "They play politics instead of doing what's right for the people of California."
RecallGavin2020 was "very excited" to see Jenner enter the race, Economy said.
"There are a lot of great people coming forward to run for governor," Economy said. "The campaign to replace Gavin Newsom just entered a new phase."
Businessman John Cox, who lost to Newsom in 2018, former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, and former Rep. Doug Ose, R-Sacramento, all Republicans have also announced their candidacies, along with retired adult-film actress Mary Carey, who finished 10th in the field of 135 candidates in the 2003 race to choose a successor to then-Gov. Gray Davis in what proved to be a successful attempt to recall him.
Running as an independent, Carey received 11,179 votes, 0.2% of the total.