(The Center Square) – A bill aimed at lowering gas prices by allowing more types of gasoline to be sold in Arizona passed the Arizona State Senate on Thursday.
In Maricopa County, environmental regulations allow for only two blends of gas to be sold to consumers, one winter blend and one summer blend, referred to as Cleaner Burning Gasoline, according to a news release.
Senate Bill 1064 passed along party lines, but Democratic Sen. Catherine Miranda voted in favor, making the final tally 17-11-2.
“From gasoline to groceries, electricity, housing, and every other basic necessity, Arizonans are paying thousands of dollars more per year to maintain the same quality of life they had just before Joe Biden took office. While we can’t prevent his implementation of the reckless policies that are hurting hardworking families, senior citizens, and young adults, we can help Arizonans keep more of their hard-earned dollars through commonsense solutions like SB 1064,” Sen. Justine Wadsack said in a statement following the bill’s passage.
“I’m hopeful this legislation will be signed into law because it is the right move to make to improve the lives of our citizens,” she continued.
Democratic Sen. Priya Sundareshan raised concerns about the effectiveness of lowering costs, as well as concerns about air quality regulation compliance.
“To try to pass a statute that mandates the allowance of these blends without having conducted that testing and modeling ahead of time is putting a cart before the horse,” she said in the explanation of her vote against the bill.
Gas prices may be lower in the winter than the summer because of the blend used, as well as various other factors impacting energy costs. In 2023, gas prices went upwards of $5 in some parts of Arizona, according to the Arizona Republic.
The Center Square reported in December that the legislation would also give the Senate President and House Speaker the ability to apply for a waiver with the Environmental Protection Agency when refineries are circumstantially requesting fewer regulations. In June, an effort by some refineries to get more blends allowed by the EPA failed, Arizona’s Family reported.
