California Air Resources Board

Authorizes the California Energy Commission to modify requirements for electric vehicle charger payment systems formerly set by CARB.

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Specifies thermal energy storage for multiple existing financial incentive programs administered by the California Energy Commission and the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank relating to industrial decarbonization. CARB is in a consultation role. The bill places additional requirements on program participants such as mandating project labor agreements and establishing a community benefits fund or agreement.

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Adds a definition for "certified reclaimed refrigerant" in California statute to clarify the previous reference to the United States Environmental Protection Agency definition of “reclaim” in Section 84.3 of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Under the new definition, “certified reclaimed refrigerant” means recovered refrigerant that meets four specific criteria based on CARB's Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) regulation, which includes that it is reclaimed, has been analyzed to meet specifications, and is documented by a certified reclaimer to contain no more that 15% new refrigerant. The bill also delays the prohibition on new HFCs used exclusively for very low temperature refrigeration or cooling until 2028, as specified.

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Authorizes the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) and the electrical corporations whose transmission is operated by the CAISO to use voluntary energy markets governed by an independent regional organization, provided that specific requirements are met. This is an energy market expansion bill creating greater opportunity for renewable energy to be bought and sold. Requires greenhouse gas information and protocols be sufficient to enable compliance with the requirements of any State agency.

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Adds pipelines transporting carbon dioxide to the State requirements for pipelines carrying hazardous liquids but only allows those pipelines to operate after the State Fire Marshal adopts regulations governing those pipelines. The bill requires the State Fire Marshal to adopt regulations governing intrastate pipelines transporting carbon dioxide, that are equivalent to draft federal regulations, as specified. The bill authorizes the State Fire Marshal to amend the regulations to provide other safety standards, as specified, and requires pipelines transporting carbon dioxide to or from carbon dioxide capture, removal, or sequestration projects to comply with these regulations. Specifies that the regulations shall be considered emergency regulations. The bill requires a pipeline operator to conduct an analysis, as specified, of the potential for harm to sensitive receptors located within the emergency planning zone, and requires the operator to submit an emergency planning zone inventory and map, as specified. The bill requires a lead agency to prepare and certify an Environmental Impact Report for the construction of a pipeline transporting carbon dioxide and provide notice to sensitive reporters, as specified. Finally, the bill prohibits approval of carbon dioxide pipelines that were previously used to transport other liquids or gases.

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Defines pyrolysis in the Public Resources Code as the thermal decomposition of material at elevated temperatures in the absence or near absence of oxygen. Requires the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery to include pipeline biomethane converted from organic waste as eligible for procurement credit by local jurisdictions by January 1, 2027.

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Has a variety of provisions regarding California’s gasoline specification, including allowing the Governor to suspend specification requirements in certain conditions and requiring the California Energy Commission (CEC)to assess alternative specifications, evaluate the possibility of a western region gasoline specification, and recommend strategies to support the state’s fuel transition. The bill also has provisions to improve oil and gas facility safety, including requiring more public input for the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response to solicit and incorporate public input on worst case oil spill volumes and financial responsibility requirements and requiring testing for idle oil pipelines and use of best technology for onshore transport of offshore oil. Additionally, the bill allows increased oil extraction in Kern County but prohibits new production in health protection zones.

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Would have required CARB to establish the Marine Carbon Initiative, consisting of the Marine Carbon Council and the Marine Carbon Research Program. The bill requires CARB to select the seven members of the Marine Carbon Council by August 1, 2027, as specified, and requires the Council to advance the science and understanding of marine carbon dioxide removal and sequestration methods and technologies, as specified. The bill requires CARB to establish the Marine Carbon Research Program by July 1, 2028 to award grants and other financial incentives for eligible marine carbon dioxide removal and sequestration projects, as specified. Held on suspense in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

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Summary

Provides reimbursement and per diem compensation for members of single county local air district boards, as well as the Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District board. Specifically, the bill allows daily compensation up to $200 per day with an annual cap on compensation of $7,200 and allows approval of an annual increase of 5-10%. The bill also requires a report to be submitted to the Legislature within three years of commencement of the compensation.

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Permanently exempts active transportation plans, pedestrian plans, and bicycle transportation plans for the restriping of streets and highways, bicycle parking and storage, and signal timing to improve street and highway intersection operations from CEQA. This bill expands the project types applicable for the CEQA exemption of certain transportation-related projects and extends the exemption from January 1, 2030, to January 1, 2040. The bill extends and expands other CEQA exemptions for public projects related to transit and requires certain CEQA-exempt projects that exceed a specified dollar amount to meet certain criteria.

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