Close Menu
SavvyDime
    What's Hot

    What is Zero-Based Budgeting?

    July 22, 2021

    Understanding Your Investment Risk Tolerance

    July 23, 2021

    5 Incredible Money-Saving Hacks

    August 9, 2021
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram RSS
    SavvyDime
    • Technology
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Lifestyle
    • Legal
    SavvyDime
    Home » California Gas Prices Could Rise Yet Again, Thanks to a Little-Known Proposal

    California Gas Prices Could Rise Yet Again, Thanks to a Little-Known Proposal

    By Julia MehalkoMay 14, 20244 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email
    A close-up of high gas prices near a palm tree in the daytime in California.
    Source: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link

    Gas prices could rise yet again throughout California, thanks to a little-known proposal that a regulating body in the state is looking to potentially pass.

    California has long been considered a state with incredibly high gas prices. Now, according to this latest draft being proposed, gas prices could rise an additional 50 cents.

    Gas Prices Could Rise in California

    Source: Nikoloz Gachechiladze/Unsplash

    Californians could potentially see gas prices skyrocket yet again thanks to a quietly proposed draft conducted by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

    CARB is a California regulating body that will attempt to implement ambitious climate action policies throughout the state. California has stated that it will meet carbon neutrality by 2045, a rather visionary and challenging task.

    Emission Reduction

    Source: Hardik Pandya/Unsplash

    As CARB is set to try to encourage emission reduction throughout the state, they’ve proposed their Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCSF) report.

    An amended version of this report was released back in September. However, it has only recently begun to make waves in California for both residents and lawmakers.

    A Climate Proposal

    Source: Engin Akyurt/Pexels

    In this report, CARB included possible price pass-throughs for consumers as California tries to help its residents during ongoing climate change problems.

    California wants to keep its air clean and limit its emissions. To do so, CARB has projected these price increases, and the report has calculated that gas prices could rise by about 47 cents per gallon in just the next year.

    Further Gas Increases

    Source: Erik Mclean/Unsplash

    That’s not all. According to this amended draft, Californians could expect even more gas price increases after this initial 50-cent increase in one year.

    Annual increases could become regular for residents throughout the state.

    Critics Blast Gas Price Hike Proposal

    Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

    Already, many critics have blasted CARB’s proposal to further raise the price of gas throughout California, as residents already pay a higher-than-average amount to fill up their car, when compared to the rest of the country.

    California Senator Janet Nguyen, a Huntington Beach Republican, has been a vocal and public critic of this latest move, which she is calling a tax increase.

    A “Secret” Tax Increase

    Source: Dawn McDonald/Unsplash

    Nguyen has claimed that this gas price hike is a further “secret” tax increase that would harm California’s residents.

    “The astronomical taxes and price of everything from food to gas is driving people out of California. People are putting their rent on credit cards,” Nguyen explained. “So what does the state do? It imposes a secret 47-cent fee in addition to the state’s gas tax so now we’ll be paying over $6 a gallon.”

    CARB’s Response

    Source: Erik Mclean/Pexels

    CARB has responded to these allegations of creating a secret gas tax and has denied that the draft was calling for this.

    According to CARB, the proposed prices in their report were “intended to provide a range of financial possibilities looking at how various LCFS credit prices might be passed through to Californians by industry.”

    Why This Isn’t a Tax

    Source: Jack Finnigan/Unsplash

    CARB’s Public Information Officer Dave Clegern has stated that this proposed price increase cannot be considered a tax on California residents, as none of this money would be going to the state government.

    Instead, the LCFS was created to try to drive down the cost of carbon fuels. To do so, they would reward low-carbon fuel producers and make dirty fuel producers pay for their credits.

    A California Gas Tax

    Source: Mehluli Hikwa/Unsplash

    Californians are already dealing with a new gas tax hike, which will be in effect on July 1. Therefore, upon hearing claims that gas prices would rise yet again, many have grown frustrated with lawmakers pushing for gas prices to continue to rise.

    Thanks to this latest gas price hike, residents will pay about 59.6 cents per gallon.

    Fluctuating Gas Prices

    Source: ifer endahl/Unsplash

    On average, Californians have to pay about $5.28 for a gallon of regular gas. The U.S. average throughout the rest of the country’s states is currently $3.61.

    However, some areas of California have much higher prices. For example, a Bay Area gas station hit above $7 recently, making it one of the highest areas to buy gas in the entire state.

    CARB’s Next Moves

    Source: sippakorn yamkasikorn/Unsplash

    CARB’s next moves remain to be seen. The body was supposed to hold a hearing on these amendments in March. However, this meeting was postponed.

    A new date for this meeting has not yet been made. According to CARB, this postponement occurred as the body “continues to receive substantial feedback on the proposed regulatory package.”

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Julia Mehalko

    Julia is an experienced news writer with more than 8 years of experience. With a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, she is skilled at writing digestible finance information and shares a particular passion for technology and innovation! When she’s not writing, Julia enjoys shopping at vintage stores, watching old movies, and traveling.

    Comments are closed.

    Trending

    Walmart Lawsuit Results in the Retailer Paying $35 Million to Former Employee it Accused of Fraud

    November 27, 2024

    Advance Auto Parts Closes Hundreds of Stores and Lays Off Staff to Avoid Bankruptcy

    November 27, 2024

    Rare Comic Books That are Extremely Valuable Today

    November 26, 2024

    Which Family Dollar Stores are Closing?

    November 26, 2024
    Savvy Dime Makes You Savvy

    Savvy Dime provides personal business and financial analysis on the topics around the world impacting your wallet and marketplace.

    We are dedicated to delivering engaging and accurate news content that keeps you informed and equips you with the information you need to make practical personal financial decisions and grow your wealth.

    savvy dime logo
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Editorial Standards
    • Terms of Use
    © 2025 Savvy Dime and Decido.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.