Back in 2020, California announced plans to phase out gasoline-powered cars by 2035 in efforts to eliminate fuel emissions released through transportation. Since this announcement, Geoff Cooper, President of the Renewable Fuels Association, says the fuel sector has taken action.
“Two large refineries in the state of California shut down, or announced that they’re shutting down in recent months, and that’s leaving a giant hole in their fuel supply,” says Cooper. “What’s going to happen is fuel prices are going to go up when you’re shorting the supply of liquid fuels, and those EVs that everybody thought were going to be out there aren’t there.”
On October 2nd, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation that would allow the sale of 15 percent ethanol (E15) in the state, a step towards achieving clean air goals and lower gas prices across the state.
David Zimmerman, CEO of Big River Resources, says the adoption of E15 comes as a win for the renewable fuels industry.
“There was a lot of work by our associations that we have been battling for E15 in the state of California for 10 years now,” says Zimmerman. “We’ll take the win, whether it’s through political turmoil or through our own hard work, but it’s a good development,”
Recent Studies from the Renewable Fuels Association show that E15 could save California drivers $2.7 annually.
