California Dems Reject Ban on Raising Gas Prices

California Democrats have voted down a crucial measure that would have halted a dramatic increase in gas prices per gallon. This latest move has sent waves of frustration rippling through the Golden State, where drivers already grapple with soaring fuel costs.

Dems Reject Gas Price Ban

On Wednesday, the California Senate faced criticism as it unanimously rejected Senate Bill 2, a Republican-led initiative aimed at revising proposed amendments to California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), changes that were recently given the green light by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, the mastermind behind the bill and a stalwart Republican voice, pressed for a floor vote. However, Democrats stood firm against the proposal, rejecting it with a decisive 10-23 vote. A revealing report from the University of Pennsylvania’s Kleinman Center for Energy Policy predicts that the LCFS changes could lead to immediate price hikes to 65 cents a gallon, climbing to an eye-watering 85 cents by 2030. Proponents of the new regulations argue they are essential in achieving California’s ambitious climate goals. However, critics are warning that this move could exacerbate an already grim situation for motorists facing some of the highest fuel prices in the nation.

The Bill

Senate Bill 2 aimed to eliminate certain amendments to the Low Carbon Fuel Standard regulations enacted by the state board on November 8, 2024. These updates aim to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels. They aim to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions across the state. In response to the Democrats’ rejection, Jones asserted, “I forced a Senate Floor vote to repeal Governor Gavin Newsom‘s 65-cent gas price hike. Senate Democrats unanimously opposed it. They had a chance to stand with California drivers, but instead, they chose to defend the highest gas prices in the nation.” But not everyone agrees with him. David Clergen, a spokesperson for CARB, dismissed the 65-cent increase label as “misinformation.” He insists that credible independent assessments suggest the actual rise may be between just 5 to 8 cents per gallon. Clergen also went on to claim to the Sacramento Bee that the LCFS itself does not directly inflate gas prices.

Debate Surrounding the Gas Prices

Supporters of the LCFS argue that these regulatory reforms are essential for California’s ambitious climate targets. Yet, in a state where driving has become an integral part of everyday life, critics emphasize that policies affecting fuel prices are crucial to capturing the public’s attention. Looking ahead, the LCFS updates have been resubmitted to the Office of Administrative Law for a legality review after an earlier draft was rejected in February.

The Deadline

The office’s deadline for a final determination looms near, with a cut-off date set for June 30. If the amendments receive the green light, they may coincide with another unsettling event: an increase in California’s state gas tax, which is scheduled to rise from 59.6 cents to 61.2 cents per gallon on the same day.

The post California Dems Reject Ban on Raising Gas Prices appeared first on Knewz.