Bill > AB70

This bill addresses organic waste management and methane emissions reduction in California by making several key changes to existing solid waste regulations. The bill defines pyrolysis as the thermal decomposition of material at elevated temperatures in the absence or near absence of oxygen, and requires the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery to amend its regulations by January 1, 2027, to include pipeline biomethane converted exclusively from organic waste as a recoverable organic waste product that local jurisdictions can use to meet their procurement targets. The legislation acknowledges the significant climate impact of methane, which is 84 times more damaging to the environment than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period, and aims to accelerate organic waste diversion to reduce landfill emissions. The bill provides local jurisdictions with various methods to meet organic waste procurement targets, including counting certain types of compost, mulch, and direct expenditures towards community composting operations, and offers flexibility for rural jurisdictions by providing exemptions and extended timelines for compliance. Additionally, the bill supports the state's broader goals of reducing methane emissions by 40% by 2030 and diverting 75% of organic landfill waste, recognizing that investments in organic waste diversion are among the most cost-effective climate mitigation strategies.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB70