Secretary Wright and Secretary Burgum Join Fox Business's Varney & Co. — June 5, 2026

Why It Matters

The announcements signal federal efforts to expand domestic fossil-fuel output and reshape energy policy at odds with California’s climate stance, with potential implications for fuel prices, refinery operations, SPR management and the political fight over U.S. energy strategy. This could affect markets, state–federal regulatory disputes, and energy-related investment decisions.

Summary

Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum visited the Sable offshore project to announce the use of the Defense Production Act to restart decades-old wells, which they say boosted California oil and gas output by about 20% and improves supply for military bases. They blamed California environmental policies for high fuel prices and argued local production is safer and cleaner with today’s technology. Wright defended recent Strategic Petroleum Reserve draws as appropriate emergency management and said trades will replenish and grow the SPR; Burgum endorsed expanded coal and fossil-fuel production as part of a Trump administration push for “energy abundance.” Both framed the moves as advancing national security, lower costs, and industrial competitiveness.