California stands at a pivotal crossroads, where energy policy, agriculture, and local economies collide. Few understand this better than Rickey Bird, director and writer of the new documentary Kern Oil. Born and raised in Bakersfield and a third-generation oil field worker, Bird has lived through the highs and lows of the state’s energy industry.
“People often think of ‘big oil,’” Bird explains, “but it’s families, communities, and local jobs that are directly impacted. Over the past five years, work has been scarce, and families are losing their livelihoods. These stories need to be told.”
Kern Oil, premiering this Friday at the historic Fox Theater in downtown Bakersfield, gives audiences an insider’s perspective on California’s energy policies and the ripple effects on towns and agriculture. Bird’s documentary features interviews with a broad spectrum of voices—from CEOs and roughnecks to local mayors—painting a full picture of how overregulation affects the industry and the people who depend on it.
California consumes nearly 1.8 million barrels of oil per day, yet much of it is imported despite the state’s abundant, environmentally regulated reserves. Bird calls this a paradox: “The cleanest, most strictly regulated oil is here in California, but we import it from overseas, while local communities like Taft face job losses, shuttered businesses, and rising property taxes. It’s a human and economic cost that people don’t often see.”
The impact stretches beyond the oil fields. Transportation costs for agriculture, from table grapes to produce, rise with fuel prices, affecting both farmers and consumers. Bird highlights the interconnectedness: “Overregulation and mismanagement don’t just hurt oil—they touch agriculture, shipping, and every sector that relies on energy.”
Kern Oil also delves into deeply personal stories. In 2022, when local work dried up, Bird’s father tragically took his own life after years of struggling to find employment in Kern County’s shrinking oil industry. Bird shares, “His story is, sadly, all too common here. Many men in our community lose their sense of purpose, their ability to provide, and, tragically, sometimes their lives, all due to policy, not demand.”
Despite these challenges, Bird remains hopeful. He calls for civic engagement and common-sense leadership. “Energy independence, sensible regulations, and accountability can revive California’s communities,” he says. “Cheaper gas, sustainable jobs, and thriving towns start here, at home.”
For those who cannot attend the premiere, additional screenings are planned in Sacramento, Taft, and Southern California, with Amazon availability to follow. Behind-the-scenes content and updates can be found at kernoilmovie.com.
Kern Oil is more than a documentary—it’s a wake-up call. By sharing the personal, economic, and historical impact of California’s oil industry, Rickey Bird invites audiences to understand the stakes, consider the policies shaping their communities, and recognize the human stories behind the headlines.