Senator Shannon Grove of Bakersfield has expressed her opposition to Assembly Bill X2-1, which recently passed the Senate Floor. The bill, backed by Governor Newsom, proposes that state bureaucrats could require refineries to maintain a minimum level of gasoline reserves or face penalties up to one million dollars per day. According to Senator Grove, this measure will lead to increased gasoline costs and potential shortages as refineries focus on meeting reserve requirements.
In her statement on the Senate floor, Senator Grove criticized the proposal: “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.”
She further commented on the broader implications: “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.”
Highlighting Kern County’s contribution to energy production, she added: “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.”
The bill is scheduled for a final vote in the Assembly on Monday, October 14th.
