New carbon fuel regulations and a state gasoline tax hike are scheduled to go into effect on July 1st, which will result in higher gas costs for California drivers. There is a lot of disagreement among politicians and state authorities on the precise effect on petrol prices.
The California Air Resources Board, which recently passed new low-carbon fuel regulations, is being audited, according to Republican state senator Brian Jones of San Diego. According to Jones, these requirements can result in a large increase in price.
“It is already too expensive to live in California,” Jones stated.
On July 1, the state will raise the gasoline excise tax by 1.6 cents to 61.2 cents per gallon. It is unclear, nevertheless, how much the new carbon fuel regulations will cost.
“The public is concerned about this,” Jones stated when he pushed for an audit.
In order to ascertain if the board appropriately assessed the economic impact of the new requirements, upheld legal transparency in their decision-making process, and concealed or minimized costs to Californians, Jones is asking the state legislature to authorize an independent audit of CARB.
In the event that they fail to inform us, we will release the auditor to investigate. And believe me when I say that no California board or commission wants the auditor to show up at their door,” Jones added.
According to calculations cited by the senator, the new regulations may result in a 65-cent increase in fuel prices per gallon. The office of Governor Gavin Newsom, however, contests these numbers, claiming that expert analysis from UC Davis indicates the rise will probably be between five and eight cents per gallon.
Jones has launched an online petition, which has gathered nearly 30,000 signatures, demanding that the governor repeal the price increase. However, the governor’s office stresses that the new rules set by CARB are not a tax.
“If we can break down that petition by the people that are in their district, we will do that,” said Jones, referring to his plans to present the petition to members of the Legislative Audit Committee.
Senator Jones’ audit request is anticipated to be heard by the committee in August.
