Hunter will introduce the legislation when the House of Representatives reconvenes on Monday. Currently, major oil refining states such as Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma are prevented by federal law from sending their cheaper gasoline into California. States which border California, such as Nevada and Arizona, do not have such a ban and residents are paying significantly less at the pump. This access will increase supplies of gasoline to meet the state s enormous demand and ultimately result in a lower cost to consumers. Competition will bring gas prices down, said Hunter.
Current law gives a monopoly to a small handful of California refineries.
Hunter based his legislation on findings which he included in the bill and will report to Congress. California drivers cannot access inexpensive gasoline from other states because of special refining requirements. Working families in California need relief from the high costs associated with these requirements. It is now necessary to seek alternative sources of refined gasoline to alleviate this crisis. The Federal and State and local governments have a shared responsibility in reducing the increased fuel costs associated with California s diminished refining capacity.