California drivers may see gas prices climb next year after state regulators voted to toughen fuel standards in an effort to cut pollution and reliance on fossil fuel.
The updated standards approved Friday by the California Air Resources Board set new goals for slashing emissions from fuel by 30% by 2030 and 90% by 2045.
“The low carbon fuel standard has already successfully created lower-cost, lower-carbon alternatives, and the benefits of the proposal vastly outweigh those costs,” Steven Cliff, the agency’s executive officer, said last month.
CARB acknowledges that the changes could add around 47 cents per gallon by 2025. However, a study from the University of Pennsylvania warns the impact could be closer to 65 cents a gallon in 2025, reaching 85 cents by 2030 and nearly $1.50 by 2035.
Critics, including the state’s Republican minority, didn’t hold back.
“Today’s vote is nothing short of blatant price gouging by the Newsom Administration,” said Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones (R-San Diego). “The Air Resources Board’s 65-cent gas price hike is a direct assault on hardworking Californians… [who] are forced into electric vehicles against their will.”
Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) echoed those concerns.
“Californians can’t afford higher gas prices. Democrat politicians have blocked every attempt to stop this spike, and they’ll have to answer to angry constituents when prices go up again,” Gallagher said.
Donald Trump’s new administration: Who has he chosen so far?
On Monday, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in California was $4.51 per gallon, the second highest in the nation behind Alaska, according to AAA.
In 2019, the Trump administration revoked California’s ability to enforce its own tailpipe emissions standards. President Joe Biden later restored the state’s authority, which was upheld in federal court.
CARB’s vote came one day after Gov. Gavin Newsom called the state Legislature into a special session to protect some of California’s environmental and other liberal policies ahead of former President Donald Trump’s second term in office.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
