Exactly one month ago, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted overwhelmingly to approve new policies to the state's Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), which has been in place since 2011. The updated LFCS rule, however, could result in higher fuel prices throughout the state.
And now, only one day into the state's new legislative session, two state lawmakers introduced bills to address CARB's updates which, if passed, would not only repeal the board's decision but also require the Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) to study any new CARB regulations before they go into effect.
Lawmakers Senator Brian Jones and Assemblymember Joe Patterson, both Republicans, are not only concerned over potentially higher fuel prices but also call into question CARB's legitimacy since its members are not elected officials. Twelve of its sixteen members are appointed by the governor. The remaining four are confirmed by the state Senate.
For background, the LCSF is intended to increase the use of a low-carbon fuels as part of a larger effort to transition to zero emissions by 2045. The transportation industry generates about 50 percent of the state's total carbon emissions.
[Related: California regulators approve stricter rules for low carbon fuels]
The LCFS rule states that fuel producers must buy tradable credits if their products generate more CO2 emissions than the required base level. As a result, the Golden State experienced an increased production and usage of biodiesel and renewable diesel fuels - both popular, more efficient, and readily available substitutes to traditional diesel for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles.
Jones introduced bill SB2, which calls for the repeal of last month's decision.
"It has an urgency clause in it. So if it passes the senate and the assembly and the governor signed it, which would be great, then it goes into effect immediately," Jones said.
Patterson's AB34 calls for the LAO to study all new regulations CARB wants implemented before any final decisions are made.
"Take a look at their proposals and then tell the legislature and the public how much that's going to increase the cost of gas, or potentially the cost of electricity as well," Patterson added.
CARB did not reply when reached for comment.
California's government is currently controlled by the Democrats, led by Gov. Gavin Newsom, so there's little chance Jones and Patterson's bills will pass at this time.
