California's Air Resources Board votes to raise new fuel standards, raising gasoline prices by 65 cents per gallon

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Gasoline prices are falling, but perhaps not for long. The national average is $3.09. That's 10 cents less than a month ago.

In California, the average is $4.68, down 16 cents from a month ago. San Francisco is the most expensive in the Bay Area, but it's down nearly a quarter from last month.

Gasoline prices in California are about to rise 65 cents per gallon.

“We know that to successfully combat climate change, we must continue to reduce our use of fossil fuels,” said Liane Randolph, chairwoman of the California Air Resources Board.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted Friday evening to change fuel standards to reduce emissions and improve air quality. However, this would lead to an increase in gas prices across the state.

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“Voting to make it higher just doesn’t make sense because we’re already making ends meet somehow. A lot of people live paycheck to paycheck,” said Tanner Ramsey, a driver from the Bay Area.

Before the vote, California Senate Republicans submitted a petition with nearly 13,000 signatures asking that body to postpone the vote.

“This is really going to have a negative impact on many millions of people here in California,” Senator Brian Jones said, adding. “And for this unelected board, made up of a group of millionaires, to even consider raising our gas prices now while Californians are struggling with the cost of living here in California, it's unbelievable to me that we're even having this discussion .”

Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones suggests a different path.

“Currently, California has waivers from the federal government to regulate fuel production and supply, and the EPA is letting California do whatever it wants with those waivers,” said Senator Brian Jones. “I want to explore how the federal government can remove these exemptions and begin to impose some accountability on these unelected bureaucrats.”

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The board said its goal is to address climate change and reduce the use of fossil fuels.

“Design a plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 that would also result in a 94% reduction in petroleum demand by 2045,” said Liane Randolph, chair of the California Air Resources Board.

Some Californians see this as an attempt by the state to go electric, something not everyone can afford or, in some cases, wants.

“I'm a bit old-fashioned. I just like the gas better. I'm also afraid of the range. I don't want to have to worry about how often I have to stop when I'm driving six hours away.” “Charge when I can just get gas and be gone in five minutes,” Ramsey said.