On October 2, 2025, Governor Newsom signed AB 30, which allows E15 fuel, an additional blend of gasoline, to be sold in California while the California Air Resources Board (CARB) studies its impact on clean air requirements. E15 is widely accepted as a way to reduce gasoline prices without adding environmental harm.
The bill authorizes gasoline containing 10.5% to 15% ethanol by volume to be sold in the state for use as a transportation fuel. The authorization lasts until the California Environmental Policy Council completes its review of those blends. Additionally, CARB must either adopt a regulation establishing a specification for those blends or assess that it is not possible for a regulation establishing a specification for those blends to meet specified requirements.
California Energy Commission Vice Chair Siva Gunda included the evaluation of E15 in its policy recommendations to help stabilize California’s gasoline and petroleum markets.
In October 2024, Newsom issued a directive asking CARB to the study of the impact of ethanol blending in gasoline to lower gas prices without compromising environmental protections.