Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones (R-San Diego) is taking immediate action in an effort to provide relief to California drivers, his office announced Monday.
On the first day of the new legislative session, Jones introduced Senate Bill 2, aiming to repeal the recently passed low carbon fuel standard, or LCFS, regulation by the California Air Resources Board.
The regulation, that analysts say could raise gas prices by 65 cents per gallon, has sparked widespread concern among state residents.
“Californians already pay the highest gas prices in the nation and Gavin Newsom’s political agenda is about to make them even higher,” said Jones. “Our Day 1 priority is protecting Californians at the pump. SB 2 will immediately repeal the Newsom Administration’s 65 cent gas price hike and put an end to their most recent price gouging scheme.”
The LCFS regulations, passed on Nov. 8, are anticipated to drive gas prices even higher in the future, according to Jones’ office. A study by the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy, reported prices could increase 85 cents per gallon by 2030 and $1.50 by 2035. The Senate Republican Caucus, which co-authored the bill, has rallied support through a petition that garnered nearly 13,000 signatures in just one week.
CARB, made up of political appointees chosen by the governor, is responsible for implementing Newsom’s plan to convert all California vehicles to electric by 2035. Critics argue that these regulations are part of a push to force Californians into electric vehicles by raising gas prices.
Jones emphasized that SB 2 will halt what he calls a “price gouging scheme” and “keep costs stable for Californians.”
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