Redding Today

After hearing from industry stakeholders and community leaders across California, Senator Brian Dahle expressed concerns over the state's regulations affecting fuel supply. During a meeting of the Senate Special Committee on Fuel Supply and Price Spikes, Dahle criticized these regulations for contributing to high and volatile gasoline prices. He warned that new mandates proposed by the governor could exacerbate the situation.

Senator Dahle participated as vice chair in discussions about ABX2-1, a bill authorizing the California Energy Commission to set requirements for refiners to maintain minimum inventories of refined transportation fuels. The governor introduced this bill during a special legislative session called in August.

Proposals such as suspending the gas tax and expediting refinery storage projects were rejected in the Assembly last week.

Dahle issued a statement expressing his concerns: “I appreciate all the hardworking individuals who made their way to the Capitol today to let their voices be heard. I’m deeply concerned that the California Dream is becoming more elusive with policies like this."

He added, "California doesn’t have a clear path forward to allow for refineries to increase storage capacity, and this bill will create artificial shortages by limiting supply. It’s nothing but a scheme to collect money from oil refineries and consumers at the pump."

“The Governor claims he’s helping consumers, but this state’s hostile energy regulations and high taxes are driving up California’s gas prices, and I don’t trust that more government interference is actually going to save Californians money.”

The measure is advancing through legislative procedures and is scheduled for a Senate Floor vote on Friday, October 11.

California's 1st Senate District includes all or parts of Alpine, El Dorado, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Sierra, Siskiyou, Shasta counties as well as deferred areas of Tehama, Butte, Colusa, and Glenn counties.