Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones (R-San Diego) is rolling up his sleeves and taking action to provide relief for millions of drivers at the pumps in California. On the first day of the new legislative session, Leader Jones introduced Senate Bill 2 to repeal the recent Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) regulation passed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which is expected to increase gas prices 65 cents per gallon. The bill is coauthored by the entire Senate Republican Caucus. Click here to read the bill language and here to download the fact sheet.
“Californians already pay the highest gas prices in the nation, and Gavin Newsom’s political agenda is about to make them even higher,” said Leader 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.”
Specifically, SB 2 repeals the new LCFS regulations passed by CARB on November 8, 2024. A study published by the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania reveals that these regulations could hike gas prices 65 cents per gallon in the near term, 85 cents per gallon by 2030, and $1.50 per gallon by 2035.
A statewide petition against the gas price hike circulated by members of the Senate Republican Caucus garnered almost 13,000 signatures in just one week. Despite a lack of transparency and public outcry, CARB unanimously passed the costly regulation.
“Californians need relief, and on day one we have an immediate opportunity to do so,” said Senator Suzette Martinez Valladares (R-Santa Clarita). “This bill is an important way for us to cut costs and make life more affordable for everyone in California.”
CARB is made up of wealthy political appointees picked by the governor and is responsible for implementing Newsom’s plan to convert all California vehicles to electric by 2035. He has recently called on the Board to increase its efforts to achieve those targets and "increase [] the stringency of the Low Carbon Fuel Standard" as California is currently not on track to hit the Governor’s mandate.
“The Air Resources Board’s 65-cent gas price hike is a direct assault on hardworking Californians,” continued Leader Jones. “This unelected group of wealthy bureaucrats, handpicked and directed by Governor Newsom, is shamelessly increasing gas prices so Californians are forced into electric vehicles against their will. SB 2 will stop their plan and keep costs stable for Californians.”
Leader Jones recently published an op-ed in The San Diego Union-Tribune exposing Newsom’s plan to raise gas prices and force Californians into electric vehicles. Click here to read the op-ed.