Kern County chairman says county is "back in the business" of oil permitting, touts renewables and new investments
Loading...
Summary
At the 2026 State of the County address, Chairman Philip Peters said Kern County has resumed issuing oil-and-gas permits, reported nearly 300 permits as of Jan. 2 and highlighted more than 13,000 MW of approved solar and nearly 7,000 MW of battery storage alongside new industrial projects.
Kern County Supervisor Philip Peters, the 2026 chairman of the Kern County Board of Supervisors, told an audience at the County Administrative Center that the county has resumed issuing oil‑and‑gas drilling permits and is seeing renewed private investment while continuing to approve large renewable‑energy projects.
"As of January 2, we've received nearly 300 oil related permits and, just in the first 2 weeks with 127 new wells on the horizon," Peters said during his State of the County address, linking the permitting resumption to livelihoods in oil‑dependent communities.
Peters framed the permitting update as part of a broader economic picture. He said Kern County accounts for a large share of California's energy output and noted recent renewable approvals: "As of this year, Kern County has approved over 13,000 megawatts of solar and nearly 7,000 megawatts of battery storage," figures he presented as unique among California counties.
Those capacity totals, Peters said, sit alongside traditional energy production: "Over 70% of our state's oil production happens right here," he added, and he described the county's mix of oil, solar, wind and battery storage as complementary pillars of local economic growth.
The chairman also pointed to new and expanding projects that he said will bring jobs and industrial capacity to the region. Peters cited the Hard Rock Casino as an example of recent investment and named the Pacific Steel Mill as "the first new steel mill in California in 50 years," saying it would be powered in part by local renewable energy.
Peters highlighted other county services and infrastructure milestones in his remarks, noting increased ridership at Meadows Field Airport, expansions at industrial parks and department‑level achievements in behavioral health, public works, libraries and animal services. He also recognized community volunteers and formally named Orion Sanders as District 1 Citizen of the Year.
The speech mixed personal history, county identity and a policy message aimed at preserving jobs tied to agriculture, oil and emerging technologies. Peters closed by urging residents and leaders to keep building local opportunity: "I will keep fighting for Kern County's right to grow, to thrive," he said.
The address commemorated Kern County's 160th anniversary and concluded without any recorded votes or formal board actions; Peters thanked staff and guests and noted a dinner hosted by the county's economic development partners would follow the event.
