In early November we reported that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) had tweaked regulations applying to state oil refineries. The Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) was designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as the Golden State moves toward a 2045 goal of zero emissions. The fine-tuning of LCFS requires oil companies and other polluters to buy credits to avoid pollution penalties. Critics say the tweaks could blast gas prices up by as much as $1.50 per gallon in the long term. But some California lawmakers want to curb CARB. Bills before the legislature would kill the CARB regulation—and more.
California lawmakers want to curb CARB with a review process
Republican Senator Brian Jones (R-San Diego) and Assemblymember Joe Patterson (R-Rocklin) introduced legislation taking aim at CARB’s action. SB2, crafted by Brian Jones, would kill the CARB tweak. Jones told California media abc10.com, “It has an urgency clause in it. So if it passes the senate and the assembly and the governor signed it, which would be great, then it goes into effect immediately.”
The other bill, AB34, would require any new CARB regulations would have to be analyzed by the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) prior to going into force. Joe Patterson, the bill sponsor, commented, “Take a look at their proposals and then tell the legislature and the public how much that’s going to increase the cost of gas, or potentially the cost of electricity as well.”
Not all CARB members voted for the tweak
Not all CARB members supported the new regulatory tweak. Two of the 10 board members voted against it, including Dean Florez. He told ABC10 that legislative oversight isn’t a bad thing. Asked for his thoughts on the two bills, he told the media outlet: “I’m not surprised that the issue has caught the attention of some members. I would rather see a more comprehensive discussion than one-off bills to grab a couple of headlines. It’s easy to simply throw a bill together, it’s harder to engage in a real solution-focused discussion.
“Do I think CARB got it wrong? You bet, I voted against it. The real policy question is whether CARB can get it right. I’d rather start from that point and take the normal gotcha politics out of cleaning our air.”
Both bills are sponsored by Republicans. Will they see the light of day in a Democrat-controlled legislature and, if they do, will a Democratic governor sign off? The governor’s office has a policy of not commenting on pending legislation.
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Thanks for the update. Let’s hope they get this issue settled with the correct outcome 🤞
Dean Flores’ words sounded like a sane way to go forward for CARB. Conversely fear of gas☝️trumps any rational discussion. That sucks.
Just curious, but who thought up that “buy credits” if the companies can’t or don’t meet the requirements? Sounds a lot like another government scam. But that’s just my humble opinion.
I think it was Al Gore. Did nothing for the environment while in office, but once out of office with no other job offerings, he became the self-appointed “Keeper-of-the-credits.” Basically, it says you can pollute all you want as long as you pay HIM for the privilege. If you were to see his personal house, and what he travels around in both land and air, he owes himself hundreds of millions! Total scam.
It’s a way for wealthy people to pass off the suffering and sacrifice to poorer people.
Good old Socialism – making everyone equally miserable!
I live in Washington. I am so tired of those in power following whatever California is doing..(Campground Fees) for one, the next is our gas taxes.
I wish if they want to be like Ca. then please move there, and leave us alone.
Same problem here in Oregon.
And yet CA continues to vote in droves for Newsome.
Awesome. The more expensive they make it to drive means more poor people off the road and less traffic for me to deal with.
/sarc
These bills will never make it to Newsom’s desk as he will squash them before they arrive.
It seems like every time I see a news article about California my first reaction is “oh, Lord, what now?
Hopefully California will fall into the ocean, like it was predicted to in 1970 by a famous psychic
Thank you, Russ and Tina! More information is usually a good thing. Will be curious to see what unintended and surprising (?) consequences come from this, and all legislation, whether in California or elsewhere. Happy new year and safe travels! 🙂