By Nadia Lopez

WHAT THE BILLS WOULD DO

AB 1757, authored by Democratic Assemblymembers Cristina Garcia of Bell Gardens and Robert Rivas of Salinas, would require the state to set targets for removing planet-warming carbon from the atmosphere with nature-based methods, such as planting trees, restoring wetlands and scaling up public landscaping and urban forestry projects. 

SB 905, authored by Democratic state Senators Nancy Skinner of Berkeley and Anna Caballero of Merced, directs the California Air Resources Board to develop a program and set regulations for carbon capture, utilization and storage projects at polluting industries, such as oil refineries.

Both bills are part of a climate push from Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed in mid-August. 

WHO SUPPORTS THEM 

AB 1757: Newsom and environmental justice groups were supporters. They say protecting and managing forests, grasslands, wetlands and farmland is important so they can serve as a carbon sink.

SB 905: Newsom supports it, saying capture and storage strategies are necessary tools to remove carbon. 

WHO IS OPPOSED

AB 1757: Farmers and grower associations opposed the bill, saying it would be economically unfeasible for them. They say the state could develop targets based on technologies that are not accessible for most farmers and drive small farms out of business. 

SB 905: Environmental justice groups are opposed, saying carbon capture, use and storage technology is unproven. They say it will prolong the use of fossil fuels and the lifespan of other polluting industries. However, the oll industry also is opposed. The Western States Petroleum Association and the California Chamber of Commerce say the measure falls short because it would stop the oil and gas industries from using the technology for enhanced oil recovery. They also say the bill delays pipelines needed to transport carbon to where it can be injected and sequestered permanently underground. 

WHY IT MATTERS

Carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, exacerbating severe weather events and causing global changes in temperature and precipitation. Many experts warn that achieving carbon neutrality may not be possible without removing existing emissions from the atmosphere and capturing carbon from smokestacks. 

GOVERNOR’S CALL ✅

Newsom signed these and other climate bills on Sept. 16.