CA Fuel Cost Forum Discusses Rising Fuel Prices and Effects on Local Business

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif., May 4, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Nearly 40 local business owners, chambers of commerce officials and other organizations interested in economic challenges facing the region gathered today to discuss the impacts California's fuel policies have on business in the San Luis Obispo region.

The meeting held in San Luis Obispo featured local perspectives on fuel policies that increase costs at the pump, such as the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), and the recently approved SB 1 transportation package that would raise $52 billion by imposing additional fees on gasoline, diesels, and vehicle registrations to fund road improvements.

"The cost of fuel not only impacts local businesses, but working families as well." San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Debbie Arnold said. "Today's forum highlighted how the fuel policies, programs and taxes voted on in Sacramento affect our local businesses and regional economy,"

"SB 1 and programs like the Low Carbon Fuel Standard are adding another costly layer on top of a myriad of overlapping regulations," said Catherine Reheis-Boyd, Western States Petroleum Association President.  "We need to create policies that take into consideration the business climate in California, and that foster job creation and strong local economies."

The event in San Luis Obispo is the first of five events throughout the state that will bring together local and regional businesses, business associations, academia, and elected officials to discuss the realities of these regulations, including implementation as it relates to fuel costs, supply, availability and timing, as well as its impact on local communities and jobs.

The consensus at the forum was that California's fuel policies are increasing the cost of doing business in the Central Coast.

"My family's company has provided fuel and related products and services on the Central Coast for more than 80 years. Each year it seems our business and our customers face new regulations that increase costs, making it more difficult to operate. Not only does this challenge businesses, we must always remember the impact these decisions have on the working employees, families and members of our community." said Morgan Dewar, Strategic Initiatives Coordinator at JB Dewar, Inc. "It is important that the policymakers in Sacramento understand the implications programs like LCFS, Cap and Trade and other regulations can have on jobs and local economies; our state can lead in environmental policies without hurting businesses and families."

Following the event in San Luis Obispo, the next California Fuel Cost Forums will be held in Bakersfield on May 12, San Diego, San Jose, and will conclude in Sacramento.

For more information on the fuel forums visit endlcfs.wspa.org.   

Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) is a non-profit trade association that represents companies that account for the bulk of petroleum exploration, production, refining, transportation and marketing in the five western states of Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.

SOURCE Western States Petroleum Association