The Western States Petroleum Association released the following statement today from WSPA President & CEO Catherine Reheis-Boyd in response to the California Energy Commission (CEC) press release attributing recent gas price drop to state efforts.

“No mandates, rules, or decrees from Sacramento since 2019 have lowered gas prices. It’s misleading to claim credit for natural global market fluctuations—like taking credit for the sun rising. What we can agree with the CEC on is that difficult days are coming. California’s policies have been designed to raise gas prices, not lower them. The recent LCFS vote could increase prices by 47–65 cents per gallon, and next year’s cap-and-trade renegotiation threatens to add even more costs at the pump.

“If state leaders want collaboration, they should confront the harmful rhetoric and misguided policies that continue to neglect the needs of Californians and the technical realities of our state’s energy system.”