By Catherine Reheis-Boyd

Understanding the real impact our industry has on the economy and society at large is virtually impossible. We make so many things possible every single day, from moving people and goods to powering entire communities. Helping people recognize that impact has been a big part of the work we do at WSPA every day, and we are fortunate to have strong partners who are proud to join us in telling that story.

A new report from the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) Institute for Applied Economics – Oil and Gas in California: The Industry, its Economic Contribution and Major User Industries – was just released. It showcases the industry’s economic impact and the essential role in the state of California and highlights how its jobs and tax revenue underpin so much of what makes California golden.

And what should come as no surprise, the statistics from the report are impressive. Our industry supports 536,770 total jobs in California and 148,140 Californians are directly employed by its individual companies—along with the $338 billion total economic contribution to California’s economy. Those numbers are something we all should feel proud of.

Breaking it down further, the industry currently delivers $23 billion in annual wages and benefits to oil and gas workers in the Golden State, and $53.4 billion in wages to all workers supported by the industry. But the stark reality is the jobs of those workers are at risk by policy and regulatory efforts outlined in the report that affect both the supply and demand side of oil and gas in California.

Communities everywhere not only depend on our energy products and services but deeply rely on the tax revenue and other community investments our industry and its companies deliver. With such an integral impact on hundreds of thousands of families and communities across the state and nation, we need policies that support our workforce and the vital energy we provide as we continue to advance toward a more sustainable future.

I encourage you to view the report and see just how your region is impacted by the oil & gas industry. We need a sustainable energy future that works for everyone, not just the wealthy, and this data highlights our contributions toward that future.