Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Michelle Steel (CA-48)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reps. Michelle Steel (CA-45) and David Valadao (CA-22) led every House Republican from California in calling on the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to postpone a November 8 vote to raise gas price by 47 cents per gallon in 2025 via new carbon fuel standards. The lawmakers also urged the agency to immediately analyze the cost to consumers before imposing massive new costs on California drivers.
Joining Steel and Valadao in signing the letter are California Reps. Ken Calvert, John Duarte, Vince Fong, Mike Garcia, Darrell Issa, Kevin Kiley, Young Kim, Doug LaMalfa, Tom McClintock, and Jay Obernolte. The more stringent carbon intensity standards have been projected to add a 47 cent per gallon fee on California drivers in 2025. Independent estimates show that CARB’s current policy trajectory could raise gas prices by 85 cents per gallon by 2030.
“Governor Newsom’s bureaucracy in Sacramento continues to make life unaffordable for Californians without considering input from affected citizens. State agencies should not be enacting new regulations raising our cost of living by dramatically increasing already-high gas prices,” said Rep. Michelle Steel. “CARB must delay their November 8 vote and study the impact their regulations will have on all Californians.”
“Californians are already paying the highest gas prices in the nation because of our state’s gas tax,” said Congressman Valadao. “It is unacceptable that unelected bureaucrats at CARB are attempting to quietly pass new rules that will raise gas prices even more for Central Valley families. I strongly urge CARB to delay this vote until they provide a full and complete analysis of how their actions will impact gas prices for consumers.”
The members’ correspondence to CARB Board Chairman Liane Randolph noted in part:
“CARB’s new and opaque approach comes as Californians continue to weather gas prices $1.50 above national averages, as well as a July hike in the gas excise tax to 59.6 cents per gallon. Allowing these amendments to move forward will result in an added economic burden on Californians when they are already struggling with elevated energy, food, and housing costs.”
The delegation went on to note that increases in gasoline costs will disproportionately affect working class Californians, who’ve already weathered significant cost of living increases in recent years.
“It is well established that those with less economic means frequently bear a disproportionate burden when government mandates raise basic costs of living. For this reason, we implore CARB to carefully consider how proposed amendments will affect low-income and disadvantaged populations throughout California. These risks can be mitigated, and we urge you to take prompt administrative action to delay the November 8th hearing as you develop a more robust understanding for proposed amendments’ economic implications.”
Read the full letter here.
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