FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, October 13, 2023
Republican Lawmakers Investigate Why Arizona Gas Prices Are So High in Upcoming Joint Legislative Ad Hoc Study Committee
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Out of control gas prices hitting $5 a gallon in a number of Arizona communities have become a common occurrence over the past year. Now, Republican Legislators in both the Senate and the House are investigating the driving force behind this pain at the pump, and how to provide relief to motorists, through an upcoming Joint Legislative Ad Hoc Study Committee on Air Quality and Energy.
Senate Republicans will be represented on the committee by Co-Chair and Majority Whip Sine Kerr, Senator Frank Carroll, and Senator Jake Hoffman. This team will analyze one of the contributing factors pushing Arizona's gas prices to levels higher than the national average, which is the unique blend of gasoline required by state law since 1997 called "Cleaner Burning Gasoline" (CBG).
CBG is only sold in Arizona and is produced outside of the state. With a limited number of producers, localized price spikes will routinely happen during supply shortages. In the past, Arizona Governors would seek waivers from federal regulators to get more fuel into the state during a CBG shortage to help keep costs lower for those filling up their tanks and to avoid a catastrophe. However, local media uncovered earlier this year that Governor Katie Hobbs chose not to seek a waiver, causing prices to soar for drivers already hurting in the midst of skyrocketing inflation.
"We want to get to the bottom of why Arizona is the only state in the country using this rare fuel blend, and what alternatives we can switch to that will still provide environmental benefits while saving drivers money," said Senator Kerr. "We also hope to learn why Governor Hobbs opted not to provide immediate relief to motorists when she had the opportunity to do so. Her actions were far from the precedent set by Governors before her, and the end result has had reckless impacts on the wallets of our citizens. In gathering this information, we plan to craft policy that will ensure Arizona drivers and our economy are prioritized, and not unattainable environmental goals."
The Joint Legislative Ad Hoc Study Committee on Air Quality and Energy takes place Monday, October 16 at 3:00 p.m. in Senate Hearing Room 1. The public is encouraged to tune in. A livestream and agenda for the committee hearing can be accessed here.
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For more information, contact:
Kim Quintero
Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus
kquintero@azleg.gov