SACRAMENTO — Conservative commentator Christopher Rufo and the Manhattan Institute have launched a series of reports criticizing aspects of California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s environmental and energy policies, with some gaining significant traction on social media.
The latest piece, published Tuesday in City Journal, targeted a California Public Utilities Commission supplier diversity program that includes goals for LGBT-owned businesses in utility contracting. The article described it as a “gay certification program” and prompted a response from federal officials.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said late last week that the Justice Department would scrutinize the program, warning in a letter that it may face challenges under civil rights law. The CPUC defended the voluntary, decades-old initiative created by state law.
Rufo’s earlier reports have addressed projects such as the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in Los Angeles and state forest management efforts. The writings have been shared widely online, including by figures such as Silicon Valley investor Marc Andreessen, and have drawn hundreds of millions of views, according to Rufo.
Rufo, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, has described the campaigns as highlighting what he calls wasteful spending masked by climate priorities. California officials have pushed back, characterizing the stories as selective or bad-faith attacks.
Daniel Villaseñor, deputy secretary for communications for the California Natural Resources Agency, called one such story a “coordinated outrage cycle” in a March LinkedIn post. State agencies have issued detailed responses on social media platforms to counter the critiques.
Newsom, who is in the later stages of his governorship, has positioned California as a leader in climate action, including commitments to carbon neutrality and clean energy transitions. The state has faced separate pressures from federal policy shifts under the Trump administration on issues such as vehicle emissions standards.
The viral reports come as Newsom’s administration defends its environmental record amid ongoing debates over costs, implementation and outcomes of green initiatives. Rufo has indicated plans for continued scrutiny as part of a broader Manhattan Institute focus on California.
As of Wednesday, state officials continued to respond to inquiries regarding the programs under review. Details on any potential federal actions regarding the supplier diversity program remained subject to further developments.
