During a recent event, California Democratic gubernatorial candidates were queried on balancing renewable energy goals with job security for oil refinery workers amid the stateâs planned reduction of petroleum-based fuels. Most candidates affirmed the necessity of protecting union jobs, with Antonio Villaraigosa articulating the challenge facing working-class citizens as the state shifts toward renewables. Studies suggest that refinery closures have not resulted in substantial or successful worker retraining, leading to long-term unemployment issues, compounding the economic strain on citizens already facing high gas and utility prices.
"We can't continue to be a party of just people that drive a Tesla, not a Toyota pickup, or ride a bus like my mother did... We're putting this notion of just renewables on the backs of working people."
"Despite generous amounts of government funding for retraining and re-employment, few of the laid-off workers were able to obtain new jobs at anywhere near their previous wages."
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