East SBV Times

Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh has expressed concern over the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) lack of response to public demands for transparency regarding proposed new fees and their potential impact on gas prices. The senator criticized CARB's silence, stating, “It’s absolutely irresponsible and unacceptable that this board has chosen to ignore how its policies will impact gas prices, especially when Californians are already facing a skyrocketing cost of living.”

Ochoa Bogh, alongside Assemblymember Greg Wallis, led an initiative urging CARB to disclose the financial implications of proposed changes to the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) program regulations. The proposals are scheduled for a vote on November 8. A letter signed by 25 Republican legislators requested that CARB delay the vote until fiscal impacts are made public. To date, there has been no formal response from CARB.

Assemblymember Wallis emphasized the need for accountability and transparency, stating, “The Air Board is not a separate branch of government and they should stop operating as such.” He added that their refusal to release new estimates suggests they are concealing the regulation's potential negative effects on Californians.

Initial estimates from CARB indicated a per-gallon increase of $0.52 by 2026; however, these figures were later retracted as unofficial calculations. Despite repeated requests from lawmakers and citizens, updated estimates have not been provided. Independent analyses suggest possible increases could reach $1.50 per gallon.

CARB’s chief Steven Cliff informed the Los Angeles Times that the agency would focus on economic growth, job creation, and public health rather than reassessing gas price impacts. Senator Ochoa Bogh criticized this approach: “CARB’s pivot from our question - How much will gas prices increase? - to talking points about public health and job creation is nothing but redirection at exactly the time Californians need honesty and clarity.”

Instead of addressing concerns about price hikes due to new regulations, CARB released a general "factsheet" about the LCFS program without providing information on potential impacts from pending updates. This document claims current LCFS regulations add $0.10 per gallon while asserting there is “no relationship” between LCFS and gas prices.

Today, CARB will hold a public hearing on other matters but continues to avoid addressing pressing issues related to fuel costs.