Sylvie Willis
California has some of the most ambitious renewable energy goals in the United States. The state has committed to obtaining at least 33% of its electricity from renewable resources by 2020 and 50% by 2030. In 2024, California was the second-largest consumer of energy in the US, and it has some of the largest oil fields in the country. Despite spending billions on climate change initiatives, California still relies heavily on fossil fuels, with natural gas being the primary source of fuel for electricity generation. However, the state has made significant strides towards clean energy, with its electrical power being about 60% clean energy, compared to 42% nationally.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fossil fuel usage | 40% to 84% |
| Clean energy usage | 42% to 60% |
| Natural gas usage | 30% to 35% |
| Nuclear power usage | 7.1% to 10.6% |
| Hydroelectric power usage | 13.9% |
| Coal usage | Minimal |
| Crude oil production | 8th largest producer in 2024 |
| Electricity imports | 30.1% in 2021 |
| Energy consumption | 2nd highest in 2024 |
| Per capita energy consumption | 3rd lowest in 2024 |
| Transportation energy consumption | 42% in 2023 |
| Jet fuel consumption | Highest in 2023 |
| Gasoline consumption | 2nd highest in 2018 |
| Electric vehicles | 2nd highest rate in 2018 |
| Renewable energy goals | 33% by 2020, 50% by 2030, 60% by 2030 |
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What You'll Learn
California's fossil fuel usage
California has some of the most ambitious renewable energy goals in the United States. The state is required to obtain at least 33% of its electricity from renewable resources by 2020 and 50% by 2030, excluding large-scale hydropower. In 2024, renewable resources, including hydroelectric power and small-scale solar power, supplied 57% of California's in-state electricity generation. Natural gas fuelled another 35%, and nuclear power provided almost the rest.
Despite spending billions on climate change initiatives, 84% of California's energy still comes from fossil fuels. California has more than a dozen of the United States' largest oil fields, including the Midway-Sunset Oil Field, the second-largest oil field in the contiguous United States. The state was the second-largest importer of electricity in 2024 and has the largest economy in the nation, with a GDP of $4.2 trillion in 2024, making it the fourth-largest economy in the world.
California has abundant renewable energy resources, including solar energy, hydroelectric power, geothermal energy, and biomass, and the state produces more electricity from renewable energy than any other state except Texas. California is also rich in mineral resources. The state has invested heavily in clean energy, with the world's second-largest battery fleet to keep clean power flowing after dark.
Transportation accounts for the largest share of California's energy consumption, with the state having more registered motor vehicles and travelling more miles by vehicle than any other state. California accounts for one-tenth of US motor gasoline consumption and about one-seventh of the nation's jet fuel consumption. Overall, the state's transportation sector accounts for 42% of California's total energy consumption.
California is part of the Western Interconnection, with transmission lines connecting to the Pacific Northwest, including the California-Oregon Intertie, which brings primarily hydroelectric power to Los Angeles. From Utah, a 2.4 GW HVDC line, Path 27, provides coal-generated electricity to Los Angeles. California also imports electricity from other states, including Arizona, Nevada, and Wyoming.
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The state's transition to clean energy
California has some of the most ambitious renewable energy goals in the United States. The state has committed to obtaining at least 33% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020 and 50% by 2030, excluding large-scale hydropower. In 2024, California achieved this goal, with 57% of its in-state electricity generation coming from renewable sources, mainly hydroelectric power and small-scale solar power. The state also leads the nation in electricity generation from non-hydroelectric renewable sources, including geothermal, wind, and solar power.
California has made significant strides in transitioning to clean energy, with a notable reduction in its reliance on fossil fuels. In 2020, California's in-state electricity generation was approximately 60% clean energy, with renewables making up 34.5%, large hydropower 13.9%, and nuclear power 10.6%. The state has invested heavily in solar energy, with the world's second-largest battery fleet to store clean power for use after dark. Additionally, California has the second-highest rate of plug-in electric vehicles in the world, contributing to its clean energy transition.
Despite these efforts, California still faces challenges in its transition to clean energy. Transportation accounts for the largest share of the state's energy consumption, and it remains a significant consumer of jet fuel and gasoline. California's crude oil and natural gas deposits are located in six geological basins in the Central Valley and along the coast, and the state has some of the largest oil fields in the contiguous United States. As a result, California's energy consumption still relies on fossil fuels, with natural gas fuelling about one-third of its electricity generation in 2024.
To achieve its decarbonization goals, California will need to significantly increase its electricity consumption, replacing fossil fuels in the transportation sector and residential heating. The state has started transitioning to time-of-use pricing and is exploring the creation of a Western mega-energy market, which could provide access to additional renewable energy sources and facilitate the export of its excess solar and wind-generated electricity. However, critics argue that joining a regional power market with fossil fuel-dependent states could undermine California's clean energy progress.
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California's crude oil and natural gas deposits
California has large energy resources and is the second-largest consumer of energy in the US after Texas. In 2024, California was the eighth-largest producer of crude oil among the 50 states, with more than a dozen of the US's largest oil fields. The state also ranks third in crude oil refining capacity, with 9% of the nation's total capacity.
Historically, much of California's early oil discoveries were in the form of asphalt, also known as bitumen, which was processed and used for asphalting streets in the 1870s. In the 20th century, oil became a major industry in California with the discovery of new fields around Los Angeles and the San Joaquin Valley, coinciding with a surge in demand for gasoline for automobiles and trucks. In 1914, California pumped 100 million barrels, accounting for 38% of the national supply.
Today, California's crude oil production has declined, and in 2012, the state produced 8.3% of the national supply. There is also some offshore oil and gas production, but new leasing and drilling in California's state and federal waters are currently under a permanent moratorium due to environmental concerns. Instead, California has been importing more foreign oil, mainly from countries like Iraq, Brazil, Guyana, Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, and Colombia.
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The role of the transportation sector
California has the largest population and the largest economy in the United States. In 2024, it was the second-largest consumer of energy after Texas, with the transportation sector accounting for 42% of California's total energy consumption. The state is home to more registered motor vehicles than any other state, and Californians travel more miles by vehicle. California is also the largest consumer of jet fuel and the second-largest consumer of gasoline.
The transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in California, accounting for about 50% of the state's total emissions. It is also a significant source of nitrogen oxide pollution and diesel particulate matter pollution. To achieve its goals of carbon neutrality by 2045 and mitigate the impacts of climate change, California must decarbonize this sector.
The state has implemented various measures to reduce transportation-related fossil fuel demand and emissions. These include the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program (ARFVTP), which provides funding for the development and deployment of low-carbon fuels, infrastructure for zero and near-zero emission vehicles, and advanced vehicle technologies. California has also funded the construction of electric vehicle charging stations and hydrogen refueling stations. Additionally, the state has multiple policies in place to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, criteria air pollutants, and petroleum fuel use, and to increase jobs.
Transitioning to a carbon-neutral transportation system will have economic and social impacts. It is expected to generate savings for consumers and the economy, as the costs of owning and operating zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) are projected to become lower than those of conventional vehicles. However, the transition will also disrupt jobs in some sectors while creating new ones in areas like clean vehicle manufacturing and electric and hydrogen fueling infrastructure.
California's transition to a carbon-neutral transportation system by 2045 will require a significant reduction in the demand for and supply of fossil fuels. This includes decreasing crude oil production and refining, as well as shifting towards low-carbon liquid fuels and increasing the use of electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles.
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California's energy consumption and production
California has the largest economy and population in the United States. As of 2024, it is the second-largest consumer of energy after Texas, with the transportation sector accounting for the largest share of the state's energy consumption. California has more registered motor vehicles than any other state, and its residents travel more miles by vehicle. The state accounts for one-tenth of US motor gasoline consumption and about one-seventh of the nation's jet fuel consumption. In 2023, 45% of energy consumption was used for transportation, with California being the largest consumer of jet fuel and the second-largest consumer of gasoline after Texas.
California is rich in renewable energy resources, including solar energy, hydroelectric power, geothermal energy, and biomass. The state produces more electricity from renewable energy than any other state except Texas. In 2024, renewable resources, including hydroelectric power and small-scale solar power, supplied 57% of California's in-state electricity generation. Natural gas fuelled another 35%, and nuclear power provided almost all the rest. California has some of the most ambitious renewable energy goals in the US, with a target to obtain at least 33% of its electricity from renewable resources by 2020 and 50% by 2030.
California imports more electricity than any other state, primarily wind and hydroelectric power from states in the Pacific Northwest, and coal, nuclear, and natural gas-fired production from the Southwest. In 2024, California was the second-largest importer of electricity. The state's natural gas output has been declining since 2000, and it now accounts for less than 1% of the nation's total natural gas reserves and production.
California has more than a dozen of the US's largest oil fields, and in 2024, it was the eighth-largest producer of crude oil. The state also has significant potential for biomass energy, with several tribal lands possessing abundant solar, wind, and biomass resources. California is a leader in the US in electric vehicles, with the second-highest rate of plug-in cars in the world, after Norway. The state has set a target for all passenger cars and trucks sold after 2035 to be fully electric, which is expected to increase its consumption of electric energy by 25%.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, California does use fossil fuels. In 2020, fossil fuels made up 40% of California's energy mix, with 19.6% being imported and 48.7% being generated in California.
California uses natural gas, which is the cleanest type of fossil fuel. In 2024, natural gas fuelled about one-third of the state's total electricity generation.
California has some of the most aggressive renewable energy goals in the United States. The state is required to obtain at least 33% of its electricity from renewable resources by 2020 and 50% by 2030. California has also cut coal from its energy supply and reduced its use of fossil fuels. However, with rising electricity prices and pressure to keep the lights on, California is considering creating an expanded power market with other Western utilities, which could include coal-burning states.
