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California's Carbon Burying Plan Lacks Rules
11 Aug
Summary
- California's carbon storage rules are delayed past a January 2025 deadline.
- An oil producer began injecting CO2 at Elk Hills without state-specific rules.
- Billions in public money could fund unregulated carbon storage projects.
California lawmakers mandated state regulators nearly four years ago to establish rules for underground carbon dioxide storage, aiming to combat climate change. However, the required regulations, including financial assurance for cleanup and a coordinated permitting process, have not been adopted, missing a January 2025 deadline.
Despite this regulatory gap, California's largest oil producer, California Resources Corp., commenced carbon injection at the Elk Hills oil field in Kern County in May. This project, the only known one of its kind permitted by the U.S. EPA, operates without California's stricter oversight. Without state rules, the company is held to federal standards, leaving crucial questions about responsibility if leaks or failures occur.
State leaders, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, have championed the Elk Hills project as innovative. However, critics point to the potential risks posed by hundreds of old, unplugged wells in the field, which could serve as escape routes for stored carbon. The financial stakes are high, with potential billions in public funds, including federal tax credits and California driver contributions, supporting these projects.
The California Air Resources Board is tasked with developing the rules, but has cited staffing issues for the delays. An initial outline released in May is expected to be finalized this year. Concerns remain that the proposed rules may not ensure independent verification of monitoring or clearly define public notification protocols in case of leaks.
