BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) California drivers are paying even more at the pump as gas prices surge amid rising tensions overseas, intensifying a political fight over how, or whether, the state should change course on energy policy.
Even before the latest spike, Californians were already paying the highest gas prices in the nation.
With affordability a major issue in the race for governor, eight candidates, two Republicans and six Democrats, are campaigning on competing plans to bring fuel costs down, exposing a sharp divide over what’s driving prices and what should be done about it.
California gas prices surge as governor candidates pitch competing plans to cut costs (AP Photo/Terry Chea)
Republican candidates Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton have blamed what they describe as overregulation for higher gas prices.
Hilton said, “The first thing I’d do is send to the legislature my first budget with my plan to make our state Califordable – three-dollar gas.”
Bianco said, “I’m removing the regulations on California oil. We will absolutely be oil independent in this state.”
Political analyst Tal Eslick said those ideas could face major resistance in Sacramento.
“Their recommendations would provide relief at the pump. It would also be met with opposition from our very progressive legislature – that’s in many senses captured by the environmental left,” Eslick said.
Many Democratic candidates have blamed oil companies for high gas prices, though Eslick said most of their proposals do not represent a major break from current policy.
“For the Democratic candidates, they are for the most part not proposing anything that deviates from the status quo,” he said.
Democratic candidate Tom Steyer criticized oil companies and geopolitical tensions affecting oil markets and recommended relying more on oil from outside the state.
“We should have the ability to outsource everything because we’re under the thumb of the oil companies who have been jacking up prices,” Steyer said.
CBS’s Julie Watts pushed back on parts of that argument, saying, “Yes, the oil companies are profiting more right now. But they’re not the ones specifically setting the price.”
California gas prices surge as governor candidates pitch competing plans to cut costs (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Watts also warned that outsourcing can carry consequences, saying, “Roughly 20 percent of our special California gas is now being refined in China and then shipped back over here to us. Critics say that it is leading to price spikes during this current war and more pollution.”
Democratic candidate Katie Porter was asked whether outsourcing oil will increase pollution and prices at the pump.
“As I just said, I think our refineries right now in California should stay open. We’ve always had a mix of refined here and brought in overseas. And it’s probably going to stay that way,” Porter said.
When asked whether she would support suspending the gas tax, Porter responded, “No.”
Eslick said one Democrat who has broken from the pack is San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who has proposed suspending the gas tax.
Mahan said, “I am the only candidate on this stage who has pledged to suspend and reform the gas tax. It is the most regressive tax in California.”
Tony Thurmond was also asked whether he would suspend the gas tax and answered, “Yes.”
Other Democrats argued the gas tax is necessary.
Xavier Becerra said, “Those who say they’re going to cut the gas tax have to also say what they’re going to replace it with. Otherwise, we’re going to have potholes in every road.”
Antonio Villaraigosa backed what he described as a hybrid approach.
California gas prices surge as governor candidates pitch competing plans to cut costs (KBAK/KBFX)
“We need an all of the above strategy that understands we have to transition from oil and gas to renewables,” Villaraigosa said.
Eslick said California’s higher gas prices compared with neighboring states are closely tied to policy choices.
“The cost of gas in California as compared to some of our neighboring states is largely the result of policy, and maybe those are good policies; that’s up to voters to decide, but they’re absolutely undeniably expensive,” he said.