Newsom relaxes refinery rules as California gas prices soar
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has called on state regulators to relax rules on oil refineries in an effort to lower soaring fuel prices
By KATHLEEN RONAYNE
Published - Sep 30, 2022, 06:38 PM ET
Last Updated - Jun 24, 2023, 05:22 AM EDT
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday announced that oil refineries could start selling more polluting winter-blend gasoline ahead of schedule to ease soaring fuel prices, directly contradicting his own goals for reducing climate emissions.
The average cost of a gallon of gas was $6.30 in California on Friday, far above the national average of $3.80, according to AAA.
The Democratic governor also called on state lawmakers to pass a new tax on oil company profits and return the money to California taxpayers. Lawmakers don't return to the Capitol until January, and Newsom's office provided few details on the proposal.
“They're ripping you off," he said of the oil industry in a video posted to Twitter.
