California Air Resources Board

Summary

Would have promoted medium-duty, heavy-duty, and off-road zero-emission infrastructure and electric and hydrogen refueling policies to support the State’s 2030 zero-emission vehicle and greenhouse gas reductions goals. The bill would have also established an electric rate structure, inclusive of electric charging and hydrogen refueling to incentivize zero-emission vehicles and freight equipment across the State. Additionally, the bill would have established the Safe and Clean Truck Infrastructure Program to deploy strategies to support truck drivers, such as safe areas to park and zero-emission refueling stations. Was not heard in the Assembly Transportation Committee.

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Summary

Requires the California Energy Commission, in consultation with CARB and the California Public Utilities Commission, to prepare a statewide assessment of the fuel cell electric vehicle fueling infrastructure and fuel production needed to support the adoption of zero emission trucks, buses, and off-road vehicles.

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Summary

Would authorize a gas corporation that serves an area that will host the 2028 Olympics to identify and propose a green hydrogen project, as defined, or multiple projects, in cooperation with the United States Olympic Paralympic Committee, the City of Los Angeles, or the County of Los Angeles to achieve described purposes. If a green hydrogen project is identified and proposed, the bill would authorize the gas corporation to file an application with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for approval to undertake the project or projects. The bill would require CPUC to approve, or modify and approve, a project or projects and associated investments in green hydrogen and hydrogen-related infrastructure, and to authorize recovery of those expenses incurred through a reasonable cost recovery mechanism. Was not heard in the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee.

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Summary

Requires that each local publicly owned electric utility's updated integrated resource plan include, as applicable, details of the utility’s electrical service rate design that supports transportation electrification. The bill requires the rate design include details for all applicable transportation sectors and include information on decision making tools, such as cost calculators or cost estimates that can assist customers in predicting the cost of paying for electricity for these vehicles.

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Summary

Would have required CARB, by December 31, 2022, as a part of the Scoping Plan, to prepare an evaluation of the role of hydrogen, and particularly green hydrogen, in achieving California’s climate goals. CARB, in consultation with the California Energy Commission (CEC), the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the California Workforce Development Board, and labor groups, would have been required to prepare a separate evaluation by June 1, 2023 to be posted on CARB’s internet website.

Also, by June 1, 2023, CARB, in conjunction with CEC and CPUC, would have had to: (1) jointly develop recommendations to the Legislature on definitions for different categories of hydrogen and potential end uses for those categories of hydrogen; (2) provide guidance to the Legislature on which categories of hydrogen may be used to meet eligibility requirements for those programs under each State entity’s jurisdiction; (3) jointly develop prohibitions against double counting of environmental attributes associated with production, distribution, and use of hydrogen; and, (4) calculate life-cycle carbon dioxide intensity values for hydrogen pathways that reflect the fuels, feedstocks, and production processes used for their production. Held on suspense in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

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Summary

Would require CARB to phase in a 100 percent green and zero carbon hydrogen fuel standard by 2045. The bill would provide a ten year, steadily declining set of personal and corporate income tax credits for green hydrogen production and distribution, as well as for hydrogen fueling stations. CARB would annually certify green hydrogen production and available hydrogen fueling stations to the Franchise Tax Board. Green hydrogen is defined to be hydrogen not produced from fossil fuel feedstock sources. Was not heard in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee.

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Summary

Specifies that a business engaged in the manufacturing of fuels, electrical parts, or components used in the field of clean transportation or the production of alternative fuel vehicles or electric vehicles is a qualified manufacturing facility for the purposes of the Capital Investment Incentive Program.

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Summary

Would define mobile fueling on-demand tank vehicles that provide gasoline to passenger vehicles as mobile sources, to be regulated by CARB. Traditional stationary gas stations are currently regulated by local air districts with a major focus on toxic air contaminants that can cause cancer to nearby sensitive receptors. Air district permitting considers equipment standards, throughput limits, identification of nearby vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly, and involves working with local land use authorities to reduce public health impacts. This bill would remove this authority from the air districts and gives CARB authority to certify equipment and enforce regulations related to mobile refuelers. Was not heard in Assembly Transportation Committee.

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Summary

Would prohibit the use of well stimulation techniques in oil and gas wells beginning January 1, 2022. The bill would require CalGEM to adopt a safety regulation for oil and gas facilities including setbacks from sensitive receptors, as defined in statute and as defined by CARB. The bill failed passage in the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee and was granted reconsideration.

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Summary

Would require CARB to recognize the use of renewable natural gas delivered via common carrier pipeline to displace the existing use of natural gas in oil production as generating an innovative crude production method credit under the Low Carbon Fuel Standard. Was not heard in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee.

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