California’s Congressional Republican delegation is pushing the state to halt its vote next month that could raise gas prices by $0.47 per gallon.
Central Valley lawmakers David Valadao (R–Hanford), John Duarte (R–Modesto), Vince Fong (R–Bakersfield) and Tom McClintock (R–Elk Grove) were among the representatives who signed the letter to the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
Driving the news: The CARB is scheduled to vote on new restrictions on the carbon intensity of fuels shortly after election day, a vote that CARB said last year could result in gas prices being raised by $0.47 per gallon.
- The LA Times reported earlier this year that the increase could actually reach an increase of $0.65 per gallon, with costs for the restrictions passed through to consumers.
- CARB has not provided an updated analysis on what the ultimate cost to consumers could be just weeks ahead of the vote.
The big picture: GOP lawmakers asked CARB to delay its vote on the upcoming Lower Carbon Fuel Standard hearing, which is scheduled for Nov. 8.
- Lawmakers also requested that CARB take immediate action to analyze the cost that consumers would ultimately have to pay if the new regulations go into effect.
- “Perhaps the only thing more alarming than these exorbitant regulatory costs is CARB’s recent admission that it has no plans to reissue regulatory impact analysis prior to making additional LCFS amendments,” the letter reads. “Obscuring the most important data point from future energy policy decisions is unconscionable and casts serious doubt over the soundness of all pending LCFS actions.”
- Lawmakers said the only tenable path forward is for the board to immediately consider how its policies would impact low-income and disadvantaged communities and to provide complete transparency in its process.
What they’re saying: “Californians are already paying the highest gas prices in the nation because of our state’s gas tax,” Valadao said. “It is unacceptable that unelected bureaucrats at CARB are attempting to quietly pass new rules that will raise gas prices even more for Central Valley families. I strongly urge CARB to delay this vote until they provide a full and complete analysis of how their actions will impact gas prices for consumers.”
Meanwhile: On Friday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom directed CARB to expedite the process to work on an alternative fuel blend, known as E-15.
- The E-15 blend could potentially decrease gas prices by $0.20 per gallon.
- “Given the potential for allowing E15 gasoline to increase fuel supply and reduce gasoline prices, with little to no environmental harm, it is prudent for CARB to prioritize resources that would allow for the expeditious completion of this process,” Newsom wrote. “Therefore, I am directing CARB to accelerate its action on this critical issue.”
