Community leaders are joining forces with an oil industry-lobbying group to speak out against a possible increase in the price of gas in San Diego.
California’s landmark greenhouse gas rules call for transportation fuels to be added to the state’s cap and trade carbon market next year. That means fuel sellers will have to buy carbon credits to offset the environmental impact of the gas and diesel they sell.
The California Legislative Analyst's Office determined that could add 12 to 20 cents to the price of a gallon of fuel by 2020.
That doesn’t sit well with Rev. Gerald Brown, who appeared at a news conference organized by an oil industry lobbying group called the California Drivers Alliance. Brown said he's concerned that many people living on the margins simply can’t carry the extra economic burden.
"We support members of our community who often are forgotten here in San Diego,” Brown said. “The ones who struggle to afford the basic necessities of life. This includes groceries, utility bills, children's clothing and fuel for their cars."
Brown said San Diego residents in the city’s poor neighborhoods can’t afford the additional cost.
Rosie Valerio, who serves on the board of directors of the San Diego Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said commuters might bear a disproportionately large share of the cost.
"We have kids we're putting through college. There's a lot of expenses and when it’s a family that's working and doing the best that they can, most of the time the places where they live are far from where they work," Valerio said.
The Western State’s Petroleum Association is rallying opposition to the change. The industry group hopes enough people turn out at a California Air Resources Board meeting next week in Diamond Bar, in eastern Los Angeles County, to stop the change that would raise costs for the petroleum industry.
