MARTINEZ, CA — Today Assembly Member Anamarie Avila Farias called on California state leaders to join her in a review of the state’s regulatory structure as it applies to gasoline prices and determine whether there are areas where adjustments could lower prices at the pump while not sacrificing environmental goals, worker safety, or protections for communities where refineries are located. California’s laws and regulations governing oil product production are cited by refinery companies as the cause for two recent facility closures.
“Working families are in danger of paying significantly more for gas if state leaders do not act,” said Avila Farias. “It’s time to bring state policies in line with the needs of Californians, otherwise we risk inflicting financial harm on the very people we’re elected to serve.”
“As someone who represents a district with 60% of California’s refineries, I know how important these businesses are to keeping our economy functioning,” continued Avila Farias.
Avila Farias’s Assembly District 15 is home to over 30,000 industry workers.
“Our laws and regulations in recent years have pushed to rid us of a future with gas powered cars while ignoring a simple, basic truth: gasoline, and oil more generally, will continue to be a major part of our energy portfolio for a long time to come because greener alternatives are not fully ready to take over gasoline’s role.”
“We can and must push for a greener, carbon-free future to address climate change, but causing $10 per gallon gas isn’t the way to get there. We need to build the infrastructure for alternatives and incentivize the marketplace,” she said. “I’m calling on my colleagues to join me in finding ways to reform the climate we’ve created for gas production. It’s time for us to deliver on this critical kitchen table issue for working families with bold policies that ignite innovation, advancing cleaner, more sustainable energy while streamlining production with clarity and efficiency.”
Related
- April 18 – Unseasonal Slide: California Gas Prices Continue to Fall
- April 16 – Valero to Idle Benicia Refinery
- Oct 16, 2024 – Phillips 66 to Cease Operations at Los Angeles-Area Refinery
