Hey,

It’s Ericka again—your resident fuel policy nerd and California refugee.

I keep an eye on my home state, and today an especially egregious example of California’s hostility to liquid fuels and consumer choice just came down from the unelected Air Resources Board in Sacramento. At Governor Newsom’s direction, the board developed and just approved regulations to ban the sale of gas and diesel cars and trucks starting in 2026 and growing to a full ban by 2035. It would be a big help if you sent your Congressional Representatives a note about this right now. 

 Email My Representative

• It might be tempting to think that only Californians will be affected by this ban, but the truth is every American will be impacted. There are 15 states that copy at least some of California’s vehicle and transportation laws. Together, these states and Washington, D.C. cover about 40% of the U.S. population. A vehicle ban that could apply to that many Americans will certainly impact the availability and price of gas and diesel cars around the country. Even worse, a government mandate signaling the end of liquid fuels in several states will absolutely affect fuel refiners and the good jobs around the country that refining, renewable fuel production and petrochemical manufacturing support. 
   
• The only thing in the way of California’s vehicle ban is President Biden and the EPA. For California to move forward, EPA will have to give them a waiver from the Clean Air Act. EPA can say no, but it will take a lot of guts to deny the waiver. Decision makers at EPA will pay attention to Members of Congress on this matter. That’s why we really need to make sure our Representatives hear from us and are aware of what California is doing and how it stands to affect every American, especially those who work in fuel refining. 
   
• Allowing liquid fuels to be part of the solution for cleaner transportation would be a lot more effective and affordable. Liquid fuel technology that exists today can reduce emissions from cars and trucks already on the road, not just from future vehicles which is California’s plan. This better path forward (a 95 RON octane standard) will cost less, deliver results faster and continue to let drivers make the big decisions about the vehicles they choose to own. 

If you don’t think California bureaucrats should be allowed to tell the rest of the country which cars and trucks they’re allowed to buy, send your Representatives a message right now. EPA needs to deny California’s waiver.

Thanks for your time and please let me know if you’ve got any questions.

Ericka