Newsom Asks CARB to Allow Early Sale of Cheaper Winter-Blend Gas to Ease Soaring Pump Prices

Oct 3•2 min read

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Governor Gavin Newsom asked the California Air Resources Board to allow gas stations to sell winter-blend gasoline earlier than the usual Oct. 31 switch to ease near-record pump prices. The winter blend costs about $0.15 less per gallon to produce than the summer formula, which is designed to reduce evaporative emissions and smog. CARB must weigh short-term consumer relief against air-quality impacts, especially in Southern California and the Central Valley.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has formally asked the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to authorize an early, statewide rollout of winter-blend gasoline to provide short-term relief at the pump as state prices approach record highs.

What Newsom Is Requesting

Under a state law that permits temporary suspension of stricter summer fuel standards during price spikes, Newsom asked CARB to let gas stations begin selling the less-expensive winter blend before the usual Oct. 31 changeover. The petition would apply statewide, including the 14 counties in Southern California and the Central Valley where smog concerns are greatest.

Why It Matters

AAA lists California’s average regular gasoline price at $6.365 per gallon—about 7.25 cents below the state record of $6.4375 set in June 2022—and well above the national average of roughly $4.48 per gallon. Industry estimates cited by the National Association of Convenience Stores put the extra production cost of the summer blend at about $0.15 per gallon versus the winter formula.

Trade-Offs

The summer blend is formulated to evaporate less in hot weather, reducing volatile organic compound emissions and helping limit smog. An earlier switch could lower commuting and household fuel costs but would temporarily relax those cleaner-fuel rules designed to protect air quality in warmer months.

Newsom said: "California will keep doing what we can to bring costs down and protect consumers — but states cannot indefinitely insulate families from a global oil shock. Trump must end his war."

Context And Next Steps

Although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ended the federal summer-blend requirement in mid-August—ahead of the traditional Sept. 1 cutoff—California has maintained stricter state standards, so CARB approval is needed for any accelerated change. Regulators will consider whether the price spike meets the legal threshold for a pause and weigh the public-health implications for regions prone to smog.

Fuel distributors, air-quality advocates and commuters are watching CARB’s decision. If approved, the early transition could offer short-term relief at the pump while renewing debate over balancing economic relief and environmental protections.