SACRAMENTO, Calif. — High gas prices are nothing new to California drivers. Lawmakers and representatives from the petroleum industry met Tuesday to try and find common ground to bring down the cost.
Dion Perry says it's been difficult to deal with the high cost of gas as it hovers around $6. He spends between $120-140 every other day on gas.
"What other choice do I have but to deal with the prices," he said.
The California Energy Commission is listening to drivers' complaints and met to discuss ways to implement SB X 1-2, a law preventing the oil industry from price gouging and authorizing the CEC to create a penalty to hold the industry accountable.
"We have the cleanest fuel in the country and that costs a little bit more to refine, so we want to hear from both perspectives on what those challenges are and how we control those prices," said Sen. Steven Bradford (D-San Pedro).
Cathy Reheis-Boyd, the CEO of Western States Petroleum Association, disagrees with the legislation saying it will raise prices and cause more people who produce gas to leave the state.
"We think it'll reduce supply and increase cost to the consumer," said Reheis-Boyd.
Reheis-Boyd says there were 30 refineries in California at one point but now there are only nine. She says it plays a part in what we're paying at the pump.
"It means they're not making any fossil fuels, they're not making any gasoline, they're making diesel that is based on renewables... so that shortens the supply of gasoline to California," she said.
Arizona State Representative Justin Wilmeth (R-Arizona) also came to Sacramento to voice his concerns around SB X1-2, saying his state gets some of its gas from California. He believes the legislation would cause refineries to close, driving up the cost.
"These decisions will harm Arizona and they will harm Nevada, and we all need to work together," said Wilmeth.
In response, Bradford says he's grateful for the testimony and understands decisions made will have major impacts.
"We need to understand that what we do will drive cost up also in Arizona, as you heard from that state rep, so we have to look at all sides," said Bradford.
Tuesday's meeting is one of many that will continue to happen. While it's still early in the CEC collecting data, Bradford says there is no evidence of price gouging so far.
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