The California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) refuses to issue permits for the maintenance of oil wells.
Posted by On with Kara Swisher, Checked
- Sources
- 3 contradict1 context
- Said
- 1 time·
- Confidence
- 65%
On with Kara SwisherAug 10, 2026
The claim that CalGEM refuses to issue permits for well maintenance is contradicted by sources showing the agency approving rework and repair permits for existing wells. The passage's sweeping 'any part of the production process' framing is not supported, though the sources do show that new drilling approvals had slowed sharply as of 2023.
This claim is about the present, so it is judged as of the day it was checked.
What was said
… So one part of my plan to bring gas prices down is to stop the insanity of importing nearly 80% of the oil that we use in California from countries like Iraq or the, or the Amazon rainforest, rather than producing it here in California. The way that Newsom and the current administration has shut down California production is to an agency called CalGEM, California Geologic Energy Management, and they, and it's the process through which they refuse to give permits for any part of the production process, including maintenance of wells. That's how they shut it down. That's a direct change you can make by putting in their people, by the appointment system. Might, yeah, maybe the same people will, you know, will come to their senses. Just need some common sense on this stuff. …
On with Kara Swisher · · from the transcriptPost →What we found
Contradicts. Reuters reported that CalGEM approvals for enhancements or repairs of existing wells rose nearly 50% in the first half of 2023, which is the opposite of refusing maintenance permits.[1]
Contradicts. CalGEM's permitting guidance says operators must obtain permits for reworking wells, which is a maintenance-type activity, indicating a permit pathway exists rather than a blanket refusal.[2]
Contradicts. A CEQA notice posted 2026-10-26 shows CalGEM approving a permit for a repair and maintenance-type well job, indicating maintenance permits continue to be issued (this postdates the claim, so it is indirect evidence for the August period).[3]
Context. Reuters reported that new well approvals had nearly ground to a halt in 2023 due to a decline in production and legal challenges in Kern County, which partly explains the claimant's perception about drilling permits but not maintenance permits.[1]
Context. The complaint from the Center for Biological Diversity alleges CalGEM issues drilling permits without environmental review; it does not claim the agency refuses maintenance permits and is an unrated, partisan-origin source.[4]
Sources
4 sources: 1 fact-checker, 2 primary, 1 not rated
- 1California new oil well approvals have nearly ground to a haltreuters.com · fact-checker · cited for: contradicts, context
- 2Permitting, Forms, and Complianceconservation.ca.gov · primary source · cited for: contradicts
- 3858109_Petro-Lud_OGceqanet.lci.ca.gov · primary source · cited for: contradicts
- 4Center vs CalGEM complaintcourthousenews.com · not rated · cited for: context
Where this claim was made
Said in 1 published post