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Senate panel hears bill to allow E15 gasoline sales in California
Summary
Assemblymember Alvarez presented AB 30 to allow sale of E15 (up to 15% ethanol) in California, saying it would align the state with other states and lower pump prices while preserving CARB’s regulatory role. Supporters including ethanol producers testified; no in-room opposition was recorded at the hearing.
Assemblymember Alvarez presented Assembly Bill 30 to the Senate Environmental Quality Committee, asking the panel to authorize sale of an E15 gasoline blend (up to 15 percent ethanol) in California and to include an urgency clause to allow the measure to take effect immediately upon the governor's signature.
The bill’s sponsor said AB 30 would ‘‘bring California in line with 49 other states’’ and give drivers ‘‘a more affordable option of gas for their cars.’’ The author described regulatory delays at the California Air Resources Board (CARB) that he said have left the state eight years into an approval process initiated in 2018.
Why it matters: The author and supporters said E15 can lower retail gasoline prices and reduce some tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions. Alvarez cited a UC Berkeley study that estimated up to a $0.20-per-gallon reduction at the pump if higher ethanol blends are adopted. He also said AB 30 preserves CARB’s authority to complete its rulemaking while authorizing retail sale and use of E15 in the interim.
Support testimony: Neil Koehler of the Renewable Fuels Association, representing ethanol producers, testified in support and urged the committee to back ‘‘this bipartisan common sense way to increase supplies of clean burning fuels, reducing emissions, lowering cost and addressing affordability.’’ Several industry and business groups submitted in‑room or written support, including the California Chamber of Commerce, California Farm Bureau and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation. No opposition witnesses spoke at the hearing.
Discussion and next steps: Committee members thanked the author and coauthors and asked no technical questions at length. The author said he respectfully asked for an aye vote and that the committee would take the vote once a quorum was present. The committee later recorded the measure as passed out of committee for referral to Transportation.
Ending: The bill gathered broad support at the hearing from fuel producers, business groups and some automotive interests. The author framed AB 30 as an affordability and supply remedy while leaving CARB’s regulatory processes intact.
