California air regulators order 10 percent carbon emissions cut for all fuel sold in state
By Judy Lin, Associated Press.
ACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California regulators on Friday restored ambitious rules to cut transportation fuel emissions 10 percent within 5 years, a decision that gives Gov. Jerry Brown a boost for his climate change agenda.
The rules further strengthen California's toughest-in-the-nation carbon emissions standards, but oil producers warn the changes could drive up costs for consumers at the gas pump.
The changes are expected to add a few cents a gallon to the cost of gasoline and diesel fuel in the state that already has some of the highest gas prices in the nation. The state estimates a typical commuter will pay an extra $20 to $24 in 2017, increasing to $52 to $56 in 2020.
"We are on a path to reduce our dependence on petroleum and this program is a key piece of that action," Mary Nichols, chairwoman of the California Air Resources Board, said ahead of the vote.