California's governor has suspended the state's summer-blend gasoline requirement and directed state agencies to allow winter-blend gasoline sales immediately, the state said. The action is intended to help lower fuel costs for residents, businesses, and farmers as prices have risen nationwide.
The press release attributed the price increases to tensions with Iran, stating Americans have incurred more than $120 billion in extra fuel costs over seven months, approximately $428 per California household.
Governor Gavin Newsom also directed the California Energy Commission to publish regular public spot-market reports on gasoline and diesel prices to increase market transparency. The state will also collect separate data on renewable diesel prices, which has come to make up a large share of California's diesel market.
The action follows California's prior efforts to reduce fuel costs, including accelerating E15 fuel sales and investing approximately $6.6 billion in clean vehicles, trucks, and charging infrastructure, according to the state.