“Californians are paying collectively $2 billion per year in higher gas prices because of the Cap and Trade Program according to well-founded and publically-available estimates,” said Jay McKeeman of CIOMA, a trade organization for gasoline retailers and wholesalers. “We want to be transparent with our customers about the components of the price they are paying. That’s why we are fulfilling this responsibility for our members and the general public.”
In 2015, California became the first state in the country to require gasoline and diesel fuel suppliers to pay into Cap and Trade Program that has now generated billions of dollars in revenue for the state. Unlike other taxes and fees, there is currently no disclosure of these added costs.
“When government is collecting a tax worth billions of dollars, it has a fundamental duty to disclose it to consumers,” said Assemblyman Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale). “… I am thankful gas station owners are willing to provide it absent a state mandate to do so.”
“Especially with the summer driving season upon us, taxpayers deserve to have complete transparency regarding how much they pay at the pump,” said David Wolfe, Legislative Director for Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. “We appreciate the private sector industry solution to a problem that government failed to address.”
Assemblyman Lackey and CIOMA brought forward Assembly Bill 2066 earlier this year. After passing its first committee with strong support, the bill was quietly killed without a vote.
