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Assembly committee advances Stern bill to curb methane from imported oil and gas
Summary
The Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee advanced SB 613, authored in the Senate by Senator Stern, directing state agencies to prioritize monitoring and reduction of methane emissions — including from imported petroleum and natural gas — and to consider procurement preferences for lower-leakage supplies.
On behalf of Senator Henry Stern, the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard and advanced Senate Bill 613, a measure directing the California Public Utilities Commission and the Air Resources Board to prioritize strategies to reduce methane emissions from fossil fuels, including upstream emissions associated with imported oil and natural gas.
The bill’s sponsor told the committee methane is a potent short‑lived climate pollutant and said California should use monitoring, measurement, reporting and verification (MMRV) protocols — for example industry partnerships, recent federal standards and state satellite tracking programs — to identify and reduce leaks. The presenter said California imports roughly 90% of its natural gas and about half its crude oil and argued the bill will encourage procurement of lower‑leakage natural gas where feasible, cost‑effective and in ratepayers’ interest.
A representative from PureRest (submitted as a “me‑too” witness) registered support; no registered opposition was reported during the hearing. Committee discussion did not raise a motion to amend the bill’s core direction. Committee staff noted votes would be taken after quorum was established; subsequent committee roll calls show the measure advanced out of committee to appropriations.
Why it matters: Methane is more potent than CO2 on short time scales, and California’s climate strategy includes both in‑state regulation and measures to reduce lifecycle emissions associated with energy used in the state. SB 613 directs state bodies to incorporate monitoring and procurement signals that could influence where utilities buy gas and how regulators account for upstream leakage.
What the bill does: As described to the committee, SB 613 would: - Authorize or direct the PUC and Air Resources Board to assess and apply approved MMRV protocols (including partnerships, federal standards and satellite monitoring) to identify and reduce methane leaks; - Encourage procurement preferences toward lower‑leakage natural gas when feasible and cost‑effective; and - Send market signals intended to incentivize industry adoption of emissions‑reducing technologies.
Statements from the hearing: “This bill will show that California can continue to take steps to be a leader in methane reduction while continuing to prioritize affordability and practicality,” the senator’s presenter said. A witness supporting the bill, Catherine Eager of The Wideman Group on behalf of PureRest, offered a brief “me‑too” in support.
Next steps and procedural status: Committee staff recorded that the item would be voted on once quorum was established; later committee roll‑call entries show SB 613 was moved forward to the appropriations committee. The committee did not record specific amendments to the bill text in the hearing record provided.
Limitations: The committee presentation described procurement and monitoring preferences in broad terms; the hearing transcript did not include final text changes or specific enforcement mechanisms. The article does not infer beyond the committee statements about the final language the PUC or ARB would adopt if the bill becomes law.
