SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Just a day into the new legislative session, two lawmakers introduced bills to address a controversial decision by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). It comes after arguments that CARB's recent amendments to the low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) would raise gas prices.
The LCFS is meant to help lower the state's greenhouse gas emissions as the state continues its transition to zero emissions by 2045. It allows major polluters, like oil companies, to buy credits to prevent penalizations from the state for polluting the air.
Republican Senator Brian Jones (R-San Diego) and Assemblymember Joe Patterson (R-Rocklin) both introduced legislation to address CARB's decision that critics argue would increase gas prices. Jones introduced SB2, if passed, would repeal the board's November'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 would require the Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) to analyze any new regulations proposed by CARB before any 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 said.
Last week, CARB Board Member Dean Florez, told ABC10 he welcomes additional oversight from the legislature. In response to these two bills, Florez provided ABC10 with this comment:
"I’m not surprised that the issue has caught the attention of some members. I would rather see a more comprehensive discussion than one-off bills to grab a couple of headlines. It’s easy to simply throw a bill together, it’s harder to engage in a real solution focused discussion. Do I think CARB got it wrong? You bet, I voted against it. The real policy question is whether CARB can get it right. I’d rather start from that point and take the normal gotcha politics out of cleaning our air."
In response to Florez's remarks, Patterson said he respectfully disagrees.
"This is the legislature's issues and this is the people's issue, not some unelected bureaucracy in Sacramento," he said.
Because Democrats are still the majority party in California, ABC10 asked Assembly Leader Robert Rivas' Office how likely it could be that the Republican bills are heard if they don't have bipartisan support. ABC10 did not get an answer.
Both spokespeople for CARB and the governor's office would not comment on the pending legislation, but the governor's office said the bills will be considered on their merits if they reach his desk.