Local Experiences of the Energy Transition in California’s Oil Sector: Policy Insights from Kern County

• In Event:  International Insights: Reducing Carbon Emissions

Abstract

In response to the global climate emergency, state and federal governments are implementing ambitious climate and energy policies. However, these policies often overlook the local dynamics of fossil fuel-dependent communities, where economic livelihoods and regional identities are deeply tied to extractive industries. This disconnect can create barriers to energy transition policy acceptance and implementation—particularly as local governments play a key role in land use decisions and permitting for energy infrastructure. To ensure effective and equitable energy transitions, there is a critical need for governance approaches that integrate local perspectives and foster collaboration across levels of government.

In this paper, we present a case study that examines how Kern County, California, a region at the center of the state’s oil and gas production, is experiencing and responding to the energy transition. Using a modified grounded theory approach, our analysis draws from participant observation and 30 semi-structured interviews conducted in both English and Spanish with community leaders, energy workers, local government, and industry representatives living or working in Kern County. The study analyzes stakeholder perceptions of the impacts of the low-carbon energy transition, including their sense of agency and inclusion in planning processes. Our findings indicate that many community members view the energy transition as uneven and uncertain, raising concerns about job loss, economic displacement, and limited support for affected workers and families. Many participants emphasized the region’s deep economic dependence on the oil and gas industry, which they described as both a source of livelihood and a barrier to envisioning alternative futures. While some interviewees recognized opportunities in the transition—such as cleaner air, new workforce pathways, and investment in underserved areas—many also expressed frustration with being excluded from key decision-making processes that directly affect their communities. We find that tensions between top-down policy mandates and local economic realities often limit support and participation, leading to resistance and disengagement that ultimately hinder the implementation of energy transition policies.

Across perspectives, participants expressed a desire for their local communities to be meaningfully considered and involved in the energy transition, highlighting the importance of state and federal policy initiatives that account for the distinct, place-based needs and conditions of their communities. These findings underscore the importance of cross-sector, cross-scale collaboration in designing resilient, place-based policy solutions that advance both decarbonization and justice. Our paper presents these findings, analyzes their implications for energy transition governance, and offers a set of policy recommendations to support more effective and equitable energy transition planning.

Author

• Sage Kime, University of California, Irvine
  Presenting Author