David Schweikert Urges Enforcement of Defense Production Act to Keep California Oil Refineries Active

Representative David Schweikert (R-AZ) is urging the enforcement of the Defense Production Act to prevent California's oil refineries from shutting down in a social media post.

For additional context, the Defense Production Act of 1950 authorizes the President to exercise emergency powers over domestic industries related to defense and emergencies, compelling businesses, such as energy companies, to prioritize production for national defense and to prevent hoarding.

Two of California's crude oil refineries, Phillips 66 and Benicia, are set to shut down by July of this year, which lowers the Golden State's refinery capacity by 17%.

Rep. Schweikert shared a clip of himself speaking with Fox 10 about these shutdowns on X, saying, "They are shutting down the refineries in California. So I am just trying to get President Trump to use the Defense Production Act to at least stop or, for awhile, stall the shutting down of those refineries."

Additionally, Rep. Schweikert noted that he was part of "the team that was helping negotiate and have discussions on bringing another pipeline in from El Paso [Texas]," since Arizona relies on California and Texas equally for energy.

If those refineries shut down, the Arizona congressman predicted, "gas in Arizona could go up $2 a gallon."

"California shuts down refining capacity. Arizona families pay the price," Schweikert's X post reads. "About 33% of our gasoline and diesel still comes from California. One economic report warned those shutdowns could cost Arizona families another $2 a gallon. I urged President Trump to use the Defense Production Act to keep that capacity online."

Schweikert's concerns come as State Representative Michael Carbone (R-25) recently criticized Governor Katie Hobbs' (D-AZ) "all of the above" energy plan, which he said is actually "a solar-heavy political plan that puts green industry insiders ahead of taxpayers."

State Rep. Carbone further noted that "You cannot claim to have an energy plan for Arizona while ignoring gasoline prices, fuel supply, and the infrastructure needed to keep this state moving."