CALIFORNIA, USA — A highly controversial meeting with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) came to a conclusion regarding the low carbon fuel standard (LCFS). The meeting went on for hours before the board made the decision to pass the LCFS amendments, which is expected to raise gas prices.
The LCFS was started under Arnold Schwarzenegger's administration, and is meant to lower the state's greenhouse gas emissions as the state continues its transition to zero emissions by 2045.
"The proposed LCFS amendments are designed to support this transition away from fossil fuels by ensuring investment in both the electric charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure," said Dillon Miner, Staff Air Pollution Specialist at CARB.
The program has endured heavy criticism. Some predict the board's decision could increase gas by 47-cents a gallon. However, CARB staff addressed that number during its meeting in Riverside.
"CARB considers the 47 cent estimate, cited by many critics of the program, to also be an over estimate," said Miner.
During the hours long meeting, the board heard from members of the public urging them not to pass the amendments to the LCFS. Some people cited this would negatively impact the state's environment.
"What you have right now rewards polluters and ignores the health impacts of dirty fuels," said an attendee.
Republican Assemblymember Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale) encouraged the board to vote no, reiterating the potential rise in cost this could have on his constituents.
"If you approve this measure, CA drivers will pay over $2 more a gallon than other drivers across the country," said Asm. Lackey.
However, many people also showed up to encourage the board to pass the LCFS.
"A yes vote today is a vote for taking the most cost effective path to a stable climate," said Sam Wade, Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas.
PG&E was also in favor of the board passing the amendments to LCFS.
"This will enable and accelerate PG&E's participation in the LCFS program on behalf of our customers with the revenue going back to them, not the utility," said Erick Karlen with PG&E.
CARB staff remained firm on its stance regarding gas prices.
"Any claims that LCFS is somehow responsible for high gas prices is misleading at best and not supported by the historical data," said Miner.
(Editor's Note: This article has been updated with the corrected information that the measure did pass.)
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