Senator Shawnna Bolick (R-AZ) is pushing legislation to prevent fuel supply shortages from hitting Arizona drivers at the pump, citing a wave of California refinery closures she says threatens to drive up gas prices in the coming months.
Sen. Shamp brought forward an amendment to House Bill 2400 in the Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Committee this week, targeting what she describes as a preventable vulnerability in Arizona's fuel supply chain.
Arizona relies heavily on out-of-state refineries for its fuel, and with multiple California facilities already shut down and another closure expected in April, supply constraints are expected to tighten heading into summer.
The timing is particularly concerning, Bolick says, because Maricopa County must also transition to a specialized summer fuel blend that is both more expensive and harder to source.
Prices Spike
As of Monday, Phoenix drivers were already feeling the pinch.
According to GasBuddy, the lowest price in the metro area was $3.97 per gallon at a Walmart Fuel Station on South 35th Avenue, with most stations clustered around $4.29 per gallon.
Tucson drivers fared slightly better, with cash prices as low as $3.79 per gallon at Shell and ARCO locations along Speedway Boulevard.
Bolick's amendment would require the state to proactively seek an emergency fuel waiver from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, unlocking access to additional fuel blends during periods of shortage. While federal law already permits such waivers under extreme supply conditions, they must be formally requested, something Bolick argues Arizona has been too slow to do in the past.
"Arizonans are tired of paying more at the pump because of supply issues outside our control," Bolick said. "We see the warning signs. Refineries are shutting down, and if we don't act now, prices will go up."
Previous Legislations
Bolick pointed to 2023 as a cautionary example, when refinery shutdowns contributed to gas prices jumping roughly a dollar per gallon in a matter of weeks.
The committee will also consider HB 2955, a measure updating Arizona's fuel standards to broaden supply options while maintaining air quality compliance.
"We are coordinating with the Trump Administration so Arizona is ready to act the moment these bills are signed into law," Bolick said. "This is about getting ahead of the problem."
The committee hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
