Senate Bill 2, authored by Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones, was recently blocked by the Democrat-controlled Senate Environmental Quality Committee in California despite having bipartisan support. The bill aimed to repeal upcoming changes to the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) regulations approved by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which are expected to raise gas prices by 65 cents per gallon.
The proposed LCFS changes are part of a broader strategy to transition all vehicles in California to electric by 2035, aligning with Governor Gavin Newsom’s environmental goals. Critics, including Jones, argue that these regulatory changes serve as a form of price gouging that disproportionately affects California residents, who already face some of the highest gas prices in the nation.
The bill’s failure in the committee was marked by a narrow 2-3 vote, with Democrat Senators Lena Gonzalez and Steve Padilla voting against it. In contrast, Senators Suzette Martinez Valladares, Megan Dahle, and Melissa Hurtado supported the measure, citing concerns over the rising cost of living. Several senators abstained from voting.
The debate over SB 2 highlights ongoing tensions between regulatory measures aimed at environmental goals and concerns over economic impacts on consumers. The bill was granted reconsideration and must be addressed by May 2, 2025. Meanwhile, public petitions both for and against the fuel regulation changes continue to gather significant support.
