California air regulators approve changes to climate program that could raise gas prices

Associated Press/Report for America

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California air regulators have voted to approve changes to a key climate program aimed at reducing planet-warming emissions that could increase gas prices statewide. The program has garnered backlash from a wide swath of critics from environmentalists to the oil industry. The rule requires the state to reduce the climate impact of transportation fuels by incentivizing producers to lower their emissions. But environmental groups have said the program isn’t doing enough to support the powering of electric vehicles. The oil industry and state lawmakers have said the agency hasn’t been transparent about how the proposal could increase gas prices.