California Air Resources Board

This bill authorizes the Wildlife Conservation Board, the Department of Conservation, and the Department of Fire and Forestry Protection (CalFIRE) Forest Health Grants to award regional landscape block grants to lower wildfire risk. It would also require money given to CalFIRE for landscape scale projects to also be used for activities that improve ecosystem health on chaparral, shrubland, grassland, and coastal sage scrub lands. This bill would also expand the eligible activities for CalFIRE’s local assistance grant program to include vegetation modification and management along roadways.

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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. 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. The bill was moved to the Assembly Inactive File.

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Requires CARB to ensure that the multimedia evaluation of gasoline containing up to 15% ethanol by volume is completed by July 1, 2025. Requires CEC to submit report to the Legislature on or before July 1, 2025, regarding potential solutions to increase the supply of gasoline through the production enhancement strategies identified by the commission in its 2024 assessment submitted to the Legislature and the Governor, as specified. Remains in the Senate Rules Committee.

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Would have added prioritizing methane reduction strategies to the existing requirement for State agencies to consider and implement strategies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Would have required CARB, California Public Utilities Commission, and other relevant agencies to timely consider new programs, or changes to existing programs to reduce methane emissions, including from imported natural gas. Was not heard in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee.

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Summary 

Would have authorized CARB to provide a voucher under the California Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Program (HVIP) for zero-emission vehicles that meet the following requirements:  
(a) has a gross weight exceeding 8,500 pounds; 
(b) is purchased for fleet operations by a public or private fleet owning one or more medium- and heavy-duty vehicles;  
(c) is not a "house car" that is equipped for human habitation. 

Was not heard in the Assembly Transportation Committee. 

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Summary 

Would have required CARB, beginning January 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, as part of its annual report to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee to include in the program update an evaluation of how carbon capture and underground storage technologies are contributing to the State's efforts to reduce greenhouse gases pursuant to State goals. The bill would have required the evaluation to include specified data about each project and specified how certain data may be considered confidential. Was not heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

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Summary 

Would have established the Carbon Neutrality Fund to annually pay an incentive payment to vendors of liquid or gaseous fuels that have a Low Carbon Fuel Standard carbon intensity below 50. The payments would have occurred from 2023 to 2029, with no more than $500 million appropriated in any year. Held on suspense in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

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