Cause of High California Gasoline Prices Stokes Disagreement

by Anne C. Mulkern (ClimateWire/E&E News) The soaring cost of gasoline coincided with aggressive climate policies in the state that seek to phase out fossil fuels. -- Debate is flaring in California about the cause of record-high gas prices, with some blaming oil companies while others target the state’s ambitious climate policies.

A hearing before the California Energy Commission this week looked at spiking prices over summer and fall, when the average gas price topped $6 a gallon. The soaring cost of gasoline coincided with aggressive climate policies in California that seek to phase out fossil fuels, creating tension for Democratic officials who support rules that could lower oil production.

State rules aim to end the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035, but between now and then millions of California motorists will continue driving vehicles with internal combustion engines. Many of them are lower-income people who commute long distances.

“This transition to electric vehicles appears to be inevitable. However, we also know that California will still rely on gasoline during this transition," said Drew Bohan, executive director of the commission. READ MORE