Alex Cornell du Houx, former Maine state Representative, Marine combat veteran, President of Elected Officials to Protect America and Co-Founder introduces the EOPA CA press conference. Standing to his right is Asm. Alex Lee who introduced a windfall profits cap on oil companies last spring. “My message to the oil companies is: It’s plain and clear to the legislature, the governor and the American people that you are price gouging and engaging in unfettered corporate greed using inflation to cover up your tracks but we see you,” Lee said.

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By Suzanne Potter

December 6, 2022   

Governor Gavin Newsom convened a special session of the Legislature on Monday to consider his newly unveiled proposal to cap excess oil and gas profits – money he said comes from price gouging. According to Triple-A, gas in California is significantly higher than the national average.

Alexander Walker Griffin, vice mayor of the city of Hercules, praised the move.

“We’ve seen the record-breaking prices at the pump, $6-, $7-a-gallon gas prices at our local gas stations, which is why have to do something,” he said.

The oil and gas industry cites multiple reasons for the price hikes, blaming reduced capacity at refineries due to maintenance, plus the state’s moves to phase out fossil fuels, and supply issues related to the war in Ukraine.

Igor Tregub, a Ukrainian immigrant who chairs the environmental caucus for the California Democratic Party, said the continued dependence on foreign oil is fueling Vladimir Putin’s war.

“The nerve of oil and gas corporations to use the war in my homeland to make exorbitant profits is inhumane. The Legislature must see this as a national security issue and get it done,” he said.

Heidi Harmon, former San Luis Obispo mayor, said the state needs to hold the fossil-fuel industry accountable – and plow excess profits into programs that mitigate the effects of global warming.

“With our increasing drought, the constant threat of wildfires and our beautiful coastlines at risk, California is on the front lines of the climate crisis. And the vast majority of Californians want bolder leadership and meaningful action now,” she said.

Alexander Walker Griffin, vice mayor of the city of Hercules, speaks in favor or a windfall profit cap on oil companies to give rebates to consumers from the price gouging.

References:  

Gas prices Triple A 2022