The Western States Petroleum Association is one of the oldest fossil fuel front groups, dating all the way back to 1907. For over a century, they've lobbied on behalf of gas, and it seems they rarely use honest means to do so. Most recently, their efforts in California included mailing flyers that didn't just lie about proposed legislation, but actually made up a bill out of thin air. Adding to the confusion, the front group sent the flyers under the name of yet another front group, the "California Drivers Alliance."
The supposed "California Gas Restriction Act of 2015" will—according to flyers and radio announcements—mean gas rationing, surcharges on mini-vans and SUVs, and fines for using too much gas. However, there is no bill by that name, nor is there any bill proposing similarly draconian measures.
The real target of this blatantly false material is the Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction Act of 2015, which would increase California's renewable fuel standard to 50% and increase building energy efficiency by 50%, as well as cut California's oil use by 50%. The California Driver's Alliance warns that such a reduction would mean gas mileage would need to rise to 50 mpg in 15 years, as though it would be a bad thing for consumers to save money at the pump. Obviously it's not, which is why in 2012, Obama ordered mileage standards to reach 54.5 mpg by 2025.
Now, the fossil fuel lobby is so dishonest that their front groups are making front groups to warn people about nonexistent legislation. They are spending their money to sound the alarm on the terrible consequences of things like greater fuel mileage standards, even though they are already in place.
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