NORTH COUNTY — Today marks a new era in the state’s battle over affordable gas prices and emissions.
The state’s automatic tax increase from Senate Bill 1 will add 1.6 cents per gallon of unleaded. But the most controversial new measure is from the California Air Resources Board’s Low-Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS).
A study from the University of California, Irvine showed, and CARB Chairwoman Liane Randolph told reporters on June 27, prices would most likely increase by 5-8 cents per gallon. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office conducted its own fact check and said CARB’s new fuel standard is estimated to reduce fuel costs for Californians per mile by 42%, save a projected $20 billion by 2045 and reduce carbon dioxide-equivalent gases by 558 million metric tons through 2046.
Critics of the new LCFS mandates, though, say gas prices could increase by up to 65 cents per gallon by the end of the year. Studies from the universities of Pennsylvania and Southern California detail those higher costs for motorists.
The two camps have engaged in fierce debate for months, if not years, on the actions of the legislature in addressing oil companies, gas prices and pollution concerns. Some estimates warn consumers will be paying more than $8 per gallon in the coming years due to the new mandates.
