Arizona, Nevada governors warn Calif. energy bill will raise costs in their states

ARIZONA GOVERNOR KATIE HOBBS, A DEMOCRAT, AND NEVADA GOVERNOR JOE LOMBARDO, A REPUBLICAN, ARE PRESSING CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM TO RECONSIDER A BILL THAT COULD LEAD TO HIGHER GAS PRICES IN THEIR OWN STATES. 

IN A JOINT BI-PARTISAN LETTER SENT THIS WEEK –

 HOBBS AND LOMBARDO EXPRESSED CONCERNS THAT THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION, WHICH SEEKS TO REGULATE OIL REFINERS IN CALIFORNIA, MIGHT RAISE FUEL COSTS AND CAUSE SUPPLY ISSUES IN ARIZONA AND NEVADA.

BOTH GOVERNORS SAY THEIR STATES RELY HEAVILY ON CALIFORNIA PIPELINES FOR THEIR FUEL.

THE BILL, CURRENTLY UNDER CONSIDERATION BY CALIFORNIA LAWMAKERS, WOULD GIVE THE CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION THE AUTHORITY TO ENFORCE INVENTORY REQUIREMENTS FOR REFINERS AND IMPOSE CIVIL PENALTIES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE. 

GOVERNOR NEWSOM IS ADVOCATING FOR THESE REGULATIONS AS A MEANS TO STABILIZE FUEL SUPPLIES AND PREVENT SUDDEN PRICE SPIKES BECAUSE OF SUPPLY SHORTAGES. 

NEWSOM ARGUES THAT REQUIRING REFINERS TO MAINTAIN EXTRA RESERVES WILL AVOID SHORTAGES AND KEEP GAS PRICES IN CHECK. 

NEWSOM PLANS TO FINE REFINERS WHO DO NOT COMPLY, WITH THE PENALTY FUNDS BEING RETURNED TO CONSUMERS.

NEWSOM SAYS “PRICE SPIKES AT THE PUMP ARE PROFIT SPIKES FOR BIG OIL. REFINERS SHOULD PLAN AHEAD AND KEEP SUPPLIES STABLE INSTEAD OF JUST TRYING TO BOOST THEIR PROFITS.”

HOWEVER – CALIFORNIA’S NEIGHBORING GOVERNORS SAY THE ADVERSE EFFECTS ARE TOO MONUMENTAL.

LOMBARDO SAYS “THE PEOPLE OF NEVADA AND ARIZONA SHOULD NOT HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL FOR CALIFORNIA’S MISGUIDED POLICIES — ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO HIGHER GAS PRICES.”

“Lowering fuel costs is a bipartisan issue, and I’m grateful to partner with Governor Hobbs as we fight back against policies that will raise prices and cause regional economic disruption.”

THIS PROPOSAL FOLLOWS A PREVIOUS FAILED ATTEMPT BY NEWSOM TO TAX EXCESS PROFITS FROM OIL COMPANIES AND A RECENT LAW AIMED AT INCREASING TRANSPARENCY IN THE OIL INDUSTRY. 

WITH ONLY TWO WEEKS REMAINING IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THE FATE OF NEWSOM’S PROPOSAL REMAINS UNCERTAIN.

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