The California Air Resources Board’s decision to halt a planned increase in gas prices through an amendment to the Low Carbon Fuel Standard fee has been met with approval from some lawmakers and residents. Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, Vice Chair of the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee, commended Californians for their involvement in opposing the increase, which was projected to add at least 65 cents per gallon to gas prices.
“Families in this state are already grappling with soaring living costs, and this hike would have only deepened their financial strain,” stated Ochoa Bogh. She expressed frustration with the governor’s administration for initially ignoring reconsideration calls but acknowledged the efforts of Californians and Republican lawmakers in challenging the increase.
Before the vote on the amendment, Republican senators submitted a petition with 13,000 signatures to the California Air Resources Board (CARB), urging a delay and the release of a new cost-benefit analysis. This followed a formal letter from Senate and Assembly Republicans demanding transparency about the actual costs and a postponement of the vote.
As of February 19, AAA reported the average price for a gallon of gas in California at $4.85, significantly higher than the national average of $3.16. Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones had previously described the proposed increase as “price gouging at the pump” and encouraged public involvement. This community pressure and scrutiny led to a late Friday vote on the issue, post-election.
Jones highlighted the Newsom Administration’s 65-cent gas price hike pause by California’s Office of Administrative Law due to unmet legal requirements. “The regulation failed to inform Californians of the true impact on gas prices,” Jones said. He criticized the plan, suggesting it aimed to make gas prices unaffordable to push consumers toward electric vehicles. Despite the pause, Jones emphasized continued opposition, noting the Air Resources Board has 120 days to address and resubmit the issue. Senate Republicans also introduced Senate Bill 2 on the first day of the new legislative session in December to repeal the regulation and prevent the price hike, aiming to hold the administration accountable.
