Less than two weeks after the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved controversial updates to its Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) program, Republican State Senator Brian Jones has announced plans to introduce a bill aimed at rolling back the new regulations.
Jones, who expressed concern over the potential impact of these updates on gas prices, argued that the combination of these new standards and other state policies could result in significant cost increases for consumers. The updates, which are set to take effect in 2025, are expected to raise gas prices by as much as 47 cents per gallon, according to initial projections from CARB.
While the updates are not considered a new tax, they will impose additional costs on the oil and gas industry, which will likely be passed down to consumers at the pump.
Jones, in a statement on Tuesday, highlighted his concerns about the broader financial effects, particularly with the upcoming closure of the Phillips 66 refinery in Southern California and ongoing regulatory changes affecting fuel storage. He emphasized that the new measures would likely strain California residents’ wallets.
“This is a straightforward bill,” Jones said about his upcoming proposal, which is currently being drafted. “It aims to repeal these regulations and bring California back to a more balanced approach—one that safeguards the environment while also protecting the economy and the financial well-being of my constituents.” Jones further criticized the untested nature of the new regulations and questioned their effectiveness.
Jones also referenced a brief analysis from the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business, which estimates that Californians could pay up to an additional $450 at the gas pump next year due to the combination of these state policies.
The bill Jones plans to introduce aims to reverse these updates and restore what he believes to be more reasonable regulatory standards for both the environment and the state’s economy.
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