11 months ago
22
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - Governor Gavin Newsom signed ABx2-1, coined "The Gas Price Bill," Monday, aiming to forestall state prices from spiking.
According to AAA, California has the highest state prices successful the nation, averaging astatine $4.68 per gallon.
Fresno County averages $4.72 per gallon.
The caller instrumentality volition summation regulations connected lipid refineries, requiring them to support a definite magnitude of substance connected manus truthful they bash not request to rise prices during engaged question seasons oregon erstwhile they unopen down for regular maintenance.
“The information is clear. Price spikes hap erstwhile refineries neglect to program for proviso during scheduled maintenance. This measure volition clasp lipid companies accountable for proviso plans erstwhile refinery shutdowns occur, yet redeeming Californians billions astatine the pump,” Democratic Assemblymember Gregg Hart said during Monday’s property conference.
However, President of West Hills Oil Scott Cain believes the authorities volition person the other effect.
“You know, you person to store this substance successful tanks, and it's not similar determination is conscionable other vessel retention everywhere. So wherever are you going to beryllium capable to store this product? And if it requires gathering immoderate benignant of caller facilities, that's going to instrumentality a agelong clip and those prices are conscionable going to beryllium simply passed on to consumers,” Cain said.
Last year, California passed authorities to enactment an Energy Commission survey into wherefore state prices highest during summertime months.
“They were capable to find that the starring origin of these $0.50 to $0.75 terms spikes was the nonaccomplishment of our lipid refineries to support capable state supplies erstwhile they unopen down for attraction oregon during those important precocious request driving times from Memorial Day to Labor Day,” Democratic Sen. Nancy Skinner said.
Newsom adds it's the lipid refineries who payment erstwhile prices spike.
“They've been lying to you, they've been playing you implicit and implicit and implicit again, and each azygous 1 of you… you person been screwed by these companies,” Newsom said.
Cain argues legislators did not see the consequences connected concern owners erstwhile they wrote the law.
“We're present down to less than 12 refineries successful the authorities of California. When I started, 30 years ago, determination was treble that. And truthful you can't restrict the proviso erstwhile request is inactive very, precise beardown and expect prices to bash thing other but rise,” Cain said.
Governors successful Arizona and Nevada sent letters to Newsom expressing concerns astir the law’s impacts.
Newsom says helium cannot committedness that it volition trim state prices, but helium thinks it is simply a measurement successful the close direction.
