By simply knowing more about its oil, California has an opportunity to further transform a critical sector that must rapidly respond to the realities of a warming world.

While recent actions in Washington cast doubt on the reliability of federal data, states stand to gain if they collect the data necessary to solve pressing problems, such as climate change.

Given the state’s future oil prospects along with large volumes currently being produced, refined, and sold, it is incumbent that elected officials and the public better understand California’s oils.