CARB: Newsom Sells-Out California for Iowa 2028

California’s gas prices are increasing because of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s obsession with becoming president at the expense of California. It’s not about the environment or what is best for Californians. It’s about pandering to King Corn and the Iowa Caucus in 2028.

On Monday, the Democrat supermajority in the Assembly voted against Republican led Assembly Bill 12, which would have overturned the California Air Resources Board’s new “Low Carbon Fuel Standards,” passed one day after the election last November to avoid accountability with voters. The State Senate voted against its counterpart, Senate Bill 2, in March and again on Wednesday. The new policy is currently scheduled for July 1.

At the direction of Gov. Gavin Newsom, CARB’s new fuel standard will increase ethanol in gasoline from E10 (10%) to E15 (15%) and E85 (85%). CARB refused to analyze the impact, however independent estimates project the price of gasoline could increase at least 65¢ to 85¢ per gallon. This will increase the cost of transportation for everything from food to groceries and negatively impact tourism and air travel, down almost -4% since Newsom’s two-year lockdowns during the coronavirus pandemic. Refineries, which are also closing because of Newsom, and the railroads may not even have the infrastructure to increase ethanol +50%. So, why is Newsom harming California?

Iowa and New Hampshire are traditionally the first caucus and primary for President of the United States, with the potential to decide the nominee. In 2008, the last competitive Democrat presidential election, Iowa chose then-Sen. Barack Obama over party favorite then-Sen. Hillary Clinton. However, Newsom isn’t the clear favorite in a crowded field that potentially includes more popular Govs. Josh Shapiro (Pennsylvania), Gretchen Whitmer (Michigan), Andy Beshear (Kentucky), Jared Polis (Colorado), Wes Moore (Maryland), and Rep. Alexandria-Ocasio Cortez (New York).

Ethanol is produced from corn and unsurprisingly politically popular in states that grow corn – such as Iowa. “Ethanol flows, where corn grows.” Ethanol fuel increased during the 2000s as the price of oil went up and because of the 2004 and 2008 Presidential primaries. It plateaued in the 2010s with the advancements in fracking and shale oil and the U.S. is now a net energy exporter. California imports most of its oil despite petroleum reserves and doesn’t grow corn. Ironically ethanol is worse for the environment, increasing smog especially during summer, and it costs more carbon to produce than it removes. The only reason to increase ethanol in California is if you’re pandering to King Corn and the Iowa Caucus in 2028.

But it’s not just Newsom. While State Senate Pro Tempore Mike McGuire and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas feign that they are listening and will make California affordable again, they are conspiring with Newsom for their own political gain. This is how and why Newsom was able to flip and whip McGuire and Rivas to pass Newsom’s gas storage law last fall, which is causing California to lose at least -14% of its refining capacity.

McGuire (D-Healdsburg) is running for Insurance Commissioner, one of the musical chairs for Democrats waiting for incumbents to retire or expire, and can’t risk Newsom sticking around in Marin. Rivas (D-Hollister) needs Newsom’s support in a congressional district gerrymandered for Santa Clara County. Both need Newsom’s access to House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi’s donor money. In a single party state, advancement is through the party, not the people.

But it’s not just California. Over 80% of Nevada’s and 50% of Arizona’s gas comes from California refineries. Nevada is exploring importing more from Utah, which will impact air quality in the Salt Lake Basin, and increase prices in Utah, Idaho, and Eastern Oregon and Washington. Like housing, California’s government failure is cascading throughout the United States.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s obsession with the presidency is the only reason he does anything. Whether it is corn ethanol to pander to Iowa or appointing former-Sen. Laphonza Butler to pander to South Carolina. Thanks to Newsom, as well as Pro Tempore Mike McGuire, Speaker Robert Rivas, and their and other Democrat’s self-serving political ambition, California is losing to Texas and a hilljack beaver named Buc-ee’s, which has cheap gas, In-N-Out, and your grandchildren. Nothing about Newsom is what is best for California.