California gas prices see EPA intervention in emergency move targeting supply

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California drivers could soon get relief from sky-high gas prices as the Trump administration moves to pump the market with more fuel.

The Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday that it is issuing an emergency fuel waiver designed to increase the domestic gasoline supply by hundreds of thousands of barrels per day and bring down prices for Golden State motorists.

The change takes effect Sept. 1, when the EPA will allow the sale of E10 gasoline — fuel containing 10% ethanol — earlier than normally permitted during the summer. 

The move allows most of the country to transition out of the more-restrictive summer gasoline blend about two weeks early. The waiver will remain in effect through Sept. 15, the end of the summer control season.

Nationally, the seasonal switch to summer-blend can tack more than 10 cents onto the average gallon of gas, according to recent federal data.

California drivers stand to benefit the most from the move, as the pricier summer blend must be produced through October 31 in the state.

The EPA is temporarily waiving state-level controls in California that extend beyond Sept. 15. The waivers can last for up to 20 days, with the agency saying it could extend them again to help Golden State drivers.

“Throughout this administration, the Trump EPA has taken decisive actions to provide relief at the pump and fortify our gasoline supply chain,” EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin exclusively told The California Post, adding that the waivers have removed fuel restrictions across the nation since May 1.

“Our actions have lowered gas prices in the states that have followed EPA’s suit and waived their requirements. In stark contrast, blue-state politicians in New York and California have chosen to play politics and not adopt these standards, driving up prices for their own residents.”

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The move comes as California motorists continue to get hammered at the pump.

California gasoline averaged about $5.59 per gallon as of Friday — nearly $1.50 more than the national average, according to AAA.

The Golden State has been particularly vulnerable to gasoline price spikes because of its isolated fuel market, refinery closures and dependence on imports.

Tasha Martin, who lives in her RV, said it costs her more to fill up her tank than it would to pay rent.

“Prices are way too high, I spend more than rent would be if I had an apartment,” she told the Post while pumping gas at a Shell station in downtown Long Beach on Friday. “The government here won’t allow prices to go down.”

Other drivers were similarly cynical about the cost of gas coming down in California.

“Prices are ridiculous and unaffordable,” said driver Ischak Mylvaganam, as he filled up his tank at the same station Friday. When asked about the potential of prices dropping, he responded: “We’ll see.”

State Sen. Suzette Martinez Valladares (R-Santa Clarita), who has urged Gov. Gavin Newsom to scrap a program that charges oil makers for carbon emissions, celebrated the EPA’s intervention.

“Washington just did something Sacramento won’t: act on affordability,” she told the Post.

“That’s not bad luck; it’s the direct result of Sacramento regulating refineries out of the state and strangling in-state oil production. If Sacramento wants real relief for California families, stop the exodus of refineries and start producing more energy here at home.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​”

Newsom sought to shift the blame for California’s gas prices to President Trump when the Post asked about the EPA’s decision at a press conference on Friday.

“I’d like him to address the issue that he’s created, which is a spike in gasoline because of this war in Iran,” he said.

“I think fundamentally he needs to address the Strait of Hormuz if he wants to address the issue of gas prices, but we’ll take a look at the details of this new proposal.”

Golden State drivers pay a “California premium” for their gas that includes higher state excise taxes, more sales tax and local fees, and costs for climate programs unique to the state.

California also requires a special and more costly fuel blend designed to prevent smog that only the state’s refineries and specific Asian countries can produce.

The shutdown of oil refineries in the state has dwindled supply and decreased California’s energy sustainability while pushing up prices, critics say.

In March, President Trump issued an executive order to resume oil drilling operations off the coast of Santa Barbara that industry insiders said at the time could add about 10% to California’s crude oil production.