SACRAMENTO — California drivers can begin saving an estimated 20 cents per gallon at the pump immediately, thanks to a bipartisan bill co-authored by Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel (D–San Diego County) that Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law yesterday.
AB 30 (Alvarez) authorizes the sale of E15 fuel—a gasoline blend containing 15% ethanol—throughout California. The bill includes an urgency clause, meaning the law takes effect today and gas stations can begin offering the lower-cost fuel option without delay.
E15 has been safely used across the United States for years, but California previously limited gasoline to 10% ethanol blends. Research from UC Berkeley and the U.S. Naval Academy estimates E15 could save California consumers $2.7 billion annually. At the same time, a University of California, Riverside study found that E15 reduces harmful particulate emissions by 18% compared to standard E10 fuel—delivering both economic relief and cleaner air.
The legislation was a priority of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, a group of legislators focused on practical solutions that put Californians ahead of partisan politics.
"San Diego County families have told me loud and clear: they need relief at the pump, and they need it now," said Assemblymember Darshana Patel. "That's why I'm proud to be a co-author of this bipartisan solution that can cut gas prices by 20 cents per gallon starting today. This is what happens when legislators put problem-solving above politics. There is still more work to be done, but this bill is a crucial step in a great direction.”
"AB 30 is a bipartisan example of how we can solve problems thoughtfully in California," said Assemblymember Alvarez, the author of AB 30. "By authorizing the sale and use of E15 gasoline, we can reduce the cost of gas and maintain our commitment to a cleaner environment. I thank Governor Newsom and Speaker Rivas for prioritizing affordability this year, and I'm grateful to the Problem Solvers Caucus for making this bill a priority. I look forward to continuing to work on solutions that improve the lives of Californians in the months ahead."
"Thanks to our work with the legislature, we have averted billions of dollars in higher costs at the pump by avoiding the kinds of severe gasoline price spikes we saw a few years ago," said Governor Newsom. "While we continue the critical work to stabilize our state's fuel market, we're cutting red tape to provide consumers with more options as we continue our transition to cleaner transportation."
“AB 30 shows what can happen when lawmakers work with each other in a bipartisan way,” said Assemblymember Patel. “When we focus on finding real solutions instead of scoring political points, we deliver tangible results for families.”
