CALIFORNIA – Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton launched a new attack on the state's energy policies, vowing to reduce gasoline prices to $3 per gallon if elected.
Hilton stated that Californian motorists pay about $2 more
for gasoline than in other parts of the United States, despite the state's oil
production in areas like Bakersfield.
The politician also questioned California's dependence on
crude oil imports. According to Hilton, approximately 80% of the oil used by
the state is imported, including supplies from Iraq.
In his remarks, he also accused Sacramento authorities of
imposing additional costs on consumers, arguing that the $1.40 per gallon in
taxes and fees ultimately fund projects like the high-speed rail.
Hilton has made fuel prices a central theme of his political
discourse, deeming them unfair to consumers. His proposal involves modifying
the policies that drive up energy costs in California and allowing consumers
access to cheaper gasoline.
“I will stop the abuse and deliver gasoline for $3,” Hilton
stated, concluding his message with an expression of rejection of current state
policies: “Enough is enough.”
The claims regarding the origin of the oil, taxes, and the
additional cost of gasoline are based on official data about the California
energy market.