A group of Republican and Democratic state lawmakers are demanding California’s energy authorities comply with overdue action to addressthe state’s ongoing gas crisis.

In aletter sent Wednesdayto the California Energy Commission, lawmakers blasted the commission for not providing information on the fuel situation or a framework for how to tackle it.

Three reports by the commission and theCalifornia Air Resources Boardwere due at various points from 2024 to this year, yet none of them have been produced, the letter said.

“We are demanding an emergency plan to deal with this fuel crisis,” Assemblymember David Alvarez (D) said at a press conference Thursday. “Our request — demand, I would say at this point — highlights past due reports, some well over a year, that are due and required to be presented to the legislature.”

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The state’s highest-in-the-nation gas priceshave skyrocketed since the American conflictwith Iran constrained the global oil supply. The average gas price in Californiawas $5.85 per gallonThursday, according to the American Automobile Association.

California’s pricesare exacerbated by higher-than-average taxesand the state’s “green energy” policies that have led to oil refinery closures.

Lawmakers detailed thestark situation the state is in. They are concerned that California may see shrinking inventories, reduced flexibility in resupplying fuels, and more global disruptions. The state heavily relies on gas imports, they noted, just like countries such as the Philippines,where unprecedented action has been taken.

All that could make the affordability crisis for Californians even worse.

“Unfortunately, California’s government so far has provided no plan to deal with this emergency. In this uncertain environment, it is concerning that the Legislature lacks critical information that state agencieswere statutorily required to provide but has not yet been produced,” the lawmakers wrote.

Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos