Bill > AB1900

This bill aims to establish a regulatory framework for biomethane, which is biogas that has been processed to meet specific standards for injection into common carrier pipelines, meaning gas pipelines owned or operated by utilities that are accessible to the public. The bill amends existing definitions to clarify terms like "biogas" and "biomethane," and it repeals and reenacts a section of the Health and Safety Code to outline the process for developing these standards. This process involves several state agencies, including the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, the State Air Resources Board (Board), the Department of Toxic Substances Control, CalRecycle (Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery), and the Public Utilities Commission (Commission). These agencies will work together to identify potential health risks from constituents in biogas, establish health protective levels, and determine safe concentrations for biomethane to be injected into pipelines. The Commission will then adopt rules and standards for biomethane quality, as well as monitoring, testing, reporting, and recordkeeping requirements, to ensure both human health protection and pipeline safety. The bill also adds provisions to the Public Resources Code and Public Utilities Code, directing the Commission to identify and address barriers to biomethane procurement and to promote its in-state production and distribution, while also mandating nondiscriminatory access to gas pipeline systems for biomethane delivery. Importantly, the bill prohibits the injection of biogas from hazardous waste landfills into common carrier pipelines.