SACRAMENTO – California’s Senate today passed Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal to give state energy regulators the authority to punish Big Oil refiners for hiking gas prices in the future.
The legislation, authored by Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Dist. 9) passed by a vote of 30 to 8. It now goes to the Assembly for consideration. The Environmental Working Group supports the bill because it would help tackle California’s artificially inflated gas prices.
Below is a statement from Bill Allayaud, director of government affairs for EWG in California:
Californians need swift action to address being ripped off by the oil companies, and that is exactly what the state Senate did. During hearings on the bill, after repeated questioning, the oil companies could not give a rational explanation for their record of gouging consumers and their obscene profit margins – and that helped fuel the passage of this important measure.
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The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.
