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Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) has issued the following statement in response to Assembly Bill X2-1 (Hart) passing off the Senate Floor. This measure, sponsored by Governor Newsom, would allow unelected state bureaucrats to mandate that refineries maintain a minimum level of gasoline reserves or face up to a million dollar a day penalty. The bill will increase the cost of gasoline and could create shortages, as refineries have to prioritize the reserves to avoid penalties.
Senator Grove spoke in opposition to this measure on the Senate floor this morning:
“The Governor’s proposal to lower gasoline prices is just political theatre. His own Air Resources Board is in the process of passing regulations that will add up to 50 cents a gallon to the cost of gasoline so it’s hard take his intent seriously. We know that adding additional mandates to our refineries will further raise prices, not lower them.
"Governor Newsom and the majority party are pushing their green agenda at the expense of Californians. They have already pushed out Exxon, Shell, BP and now Chevron is on the brink of exiting. Not only will this policy hurt Californians at the pump, it will also increase the costs of everyday items and utilities that families need to live. In Kern County we produce over 70% of the state's oil and over 50% of our renewable energy, we know what it takes to lower energy costs for Californians and isn't adding more burdensome regulations.”
AB X2-1 will return to the Assembly Floor for a final vote on Monday, October 14th.