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CARB asks for permanent staff to implement SB905 carbon management program as community groups urge rulemaking before new projects
Summary
The California Air Resources Board requested permanent positions and funding to implement SB905's carbon capture, utilization and storage program, while community groups urged the Legislature to require prompt rulemaking and to pause permitting until protections are in place.
The Senate subcommittee took up implementation of SB905 on May 1, during which California Air Resources Board (CARB) staff described work to stand up a carbon management program and requested permanent positions and funding to complete required rulemaking and oversight. Community advocates urged immediate rulemaking and asked the Legislature to withhold permitting until regulations are in place.
Matthew Ochoa of CARB told the committee that the agency is requesting 18 permanent positions and $2.2 million in 2025—26 and $4.3 million ongoing thereafter, funded by CARB's cost-of-implementation fee. SB905 (2022) requires CARB to establish a program to evaluate carbon capture and removal technologies, adopt monitoring and reporting standards, financial-responsibility rules, a streamlined permit portal and a public project database, and to ensure projects minimize air and other co-pollutant impacts.
CARB said it has used limited-term resources and contracts to begin technology assessments and community engagement and has a contract underway with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for technology analysis. Ochoa said the limited-term positions authorized in 2023 will expire next year and that permanent hires are needed to maintain continuity and attract candidates with regulatory experience.
Community groups and public commenters told the committee they are "dismayed" CARB has not committed to completing the rulemaking by 2028 and urged that permitting be paused until regulations and community protections are adopted. CARB replied that it has convened contractors, held a February workshop with product developers, and plans public engagement to scope rulemaking, but declined to give a firm deadline for adoption while noting it aims to move faster than typical multi-year rulemakings.
Why it matters: SB905 imposes broad obligations and the state has active CCUS projects or proposals in parts of California. Community and local stakeholders emphasized the need for clear financial responsibility, monitoring, and protections against leaks or other harms before projects are permitted or scaled.
Key details
- CARB requested 18 permanent positions, $2.2 million in 2025—26 and $4.3 million ongoing beginning 2026—27, funded by CARB's cost-of-implementation fee, to implement SB905 requirements. (Matthew Ochoa, CARB)
- CARB has active contracts (including with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory) to conduct technology assessments and has held at least one public workshop (February) to solicit input on scope and design. (CARB testimony)
- Community groups urged the Legislature to require CARB to promulgate community-protection rules promptly and to pause permitting for carbon management projects until those rules are complete.
Ending note
CARB said it will continue contracting, community engagement and regulatory development but could not provide an exact timetable for final regulations; the subcommittee heard calls from both industry supporters urging resources to stand up the program and community advocates demanding faster rulemaking and stronger safeguards.
