The February 26 edition of the AgNet News Hour delivered one of the most powerful and personal interviews of the year, as hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill sat down with Rickey Bird, director and writer of the documentary Kern Oil. The conversation centered on California’s oil industry, energy independence, and the ripple effects energy policy has on agriculture, freight, and rural communities.
Bird, a third-generation oilfield worker from Bakersfield, shared how dramatically the industry has changed over the past several years. Despite California consuming roughly 1.8 million barrels of oil per day, in-state production continues to decline due to regulatory hurdles. Instead, the state imports oil from overseas — a move Bird argues increases costs while outsourcing environmental oversight.
He emphasized that California-produced oil is among the most heavily regulated and environmentally monitored in the world. Yet, as production slows, communities like Taft and parts of Kern County are feeling the economic strain. Fewer permits, refinery closures, and regulatory uncertainty have led to job losses, shuttered businesses, and declining local tax revenues.
The discussion also underscored how deeply interconnected oil is with agriculture. From fuel for tractors and irrigation pumps to freight transportation and fertilizer production, energy costs impact every step of the food supply chain. As Papagni noted, when fuel prices rise, so does the cost of getting grapes, almonds, and vegetables to market. Those increases ultimately reach the consumer.
Bird also shared the deeply personal motivation behind his documentary. After years of declining work opportunities in the oilfield, his family experienced firsthand the emotional and financial toll that industry contraction can bring. His film aims to highlight not just policy debates, but the real families affected when jobs disappear in rural California.
Kern Oil features interviews with oilfield workers, executives, community leaders, and policymakers, offering perspectives from across the industry. Bird says the goal is education — helping Californians understand how energy policy decisions affect everything from gas prices to property taxes.
The episode also touched on broader themes of accountability and governance. With California facing budget challenges and rising living costs, the hosts discussed whether better management of existing natural resources could help stabilize local economies.
As the conversation made clear, energy isn’t just about fuel at the pump — it’s about jobs, infrastructure, agriculture, and community stability.
Kern Oil premieres this week at the historic Fox Theater in Bakersfield, with additional screenings planned across the state.
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