California senator demands resignation of energy board over controversial tire rule

See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The California Post on Google.

Key points

• Average tire rates could rise from $81 to as much as $157, according to the Tire Industry Association.
• Earlier in the week, Republican governor candidate Steve Hilton created a pledge to eliminate the Energy Commission if elected, specifically by gutting the Energy Commission of its funding.
• Beginning in 2029, the ban targets high-resistance tires that take more energy to keep moving down the road.
• "Someone like Gavin Newsom, I guarantee, hasn't changed his tires in a long time, or he's never changed his tires, " Strickland asserted.
• You don't have that with these unaccountable boards and agencies, he informed The Post.

Backlash is growing over California's controversial new tire rules aimed at lowering emissions – and now a state senator is joining the calls for the bureaucrats behind the rules to lose their jobs.

For context, the tire regulations, approved Monday by the California Energy Commission, will phase out replacement tires that fail to meet the state's new energy-efficiency standards – eventually wiping out 70% of the market and jacking up costs for drivers, critics say.

"If these commissioners had to face the voters this November; they would all be removed, " remarked state Sen. Tony Strickland (R), vice chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, in an interview.

Strickland remarked the rules illustrate a fundamental challenge in California: too much authority in the hands of unelected bureaucrats – who earn between $166, 306 and $215, 631 while session only once a month, in the case of energy commissioners.

Strickland sent a letter Thursday to the energy commission calling on all five board members to resign.

"You have recourse in terms of an election. You don't have that with these unaccountable boards and agencies, " he informed The Post.

Notably, the commission believes the tire regulations will save fuel costs for consumers. But critics of the ban say it'll wipe out lower-cost tire options, raising rates as the industry scrambles to replace most of replacement tires at present on the market.

Average tire rates could rise from $81 to as much as $157, according to the Tire Industry Association. For a full set of four tires, the difference could exceed $300 per vehicle.

"At a time when families are struggling to make ends meet, the CEC approved a new mandate that will force struggling families to purchase more expensive replacement tires, " Strickland wrote in his letter.

Notably, the energy commissioners are appointed by the governor and approved by the state Senate. They serve staggered five-year terms.

Strickland placed much of the blame around the tire rules on Gov. Gavin Newsom for appointing the members. Scrutiny has focused on one appointee, Nancy Skinner. This person previously was a Democratic state senator representing Berkeley.

"Someone like Gavin Newsom, I guarantee, hasn't changed his tires in a long time, or he's never changed his tires, " Strickland asserted. "These are political insiders who are close to Governor Newsom, and he appoints these along with the (Democratic) supermajority in Sacramento."

Newsom has created it clear he's happy with the commission and its tire regulations, saying this week the "ROI is pretty good."

Democrats argued the required lower-resistance tires will translate to cars using less gas or electricity from better mileage, therefore saving consumers funds.

"Back to just facts, save a billion dollars a year in fuel, " Newsom remarked Wednesday. "You talk about an affordability agenda, that makes some sense to me."

For context, the energy agency informed the Post the commission plays an notable role in energy policy and planning, from siting power plants to creating efficiency standards.

"This is about improving replacement tires, not eliminating them, to match the efficiency of tires that already exist when you get a new car, " a spokesperson remarked. "California is phasing in a standard that protects drivers from lower-quality, money-draining tires."

In short, california senator demands resignation of energy board over controversial tire rule is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.