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SB 318 would modernize air permitting to favor cleaner technologies, sparking district concerns
Summary
Sen. Becker's SB 318 aims to update permitting definitions and create a CARB-centered clearinghouse so local permitters can consider cleaner fuels or electrification in lieu of signatures that only require incremental control; air districts and business groups expressed concern about complexity, preemption and operating impacts
Sen. Becker presented SB 318, the California Clean Air Permit Modernization Act, saying current permitting practice often considers only control measures that keep an industrial process intact rather than asking whether a cleaner technology or fuel could achieve the same outcome.
Becker said the bill would update permit definitions, build on a technology pre‑certification program and a CARB clearinghouse, streamline permitting for applications using pre‑certified cleaner technologies and increase transparency for major source title 5 permits. “In 2025, we should not be blinding ourselves to the off‑the‑shelf technologies many already in use that would help cut pollution,” Becker said.
Supporters included environmental permitting experts and environmental‑justice advocates who argued modernization would accelerate adoption of low‑emission technologies. Opponents — led by the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association and the California Chamber of Commerce — warned the bill would disrupt the longstanding allocation of responsibilities between CARB and local air districts, could conflict with federal Title V permitting rules, and would create regulatory uncertainty that might slow investments.
Becker accepted committee amendments that removed indirect source rule and fee authority language from the bill for the present hearing and said she would work with air districts and stakeholders on implementation details. The committee advanced SB 318 with a recorded vote.
