Environmental Groups Sue California Over Low-Carbon Fuel Standard

Environmental groups have filed a lawsuit in California Superior Court seeking to block portions of the state’s Low-Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). The plaintiffs claim the rule has worsened air quality and created “putrid odors” in rural communities by incentivizing large-scale biogas production from decomposing animal waste.

Under the LCFS, launched in 2011, fuel producers must meet annual carbon intensity limits or purchase credits from lower-emission sources, such as biofuels, hydrogen, or electric vehicle charging. The environmentalists claim that the system favors certain industries, such as dairy, that profit from the sale of biogas credits while leaving local residents to deal with the environmental consequences.

The complaint also challenges recent program updates that took effect July 1, which tighten emission reduction timelines for facilities, including oil refineries. These updates were already criticized for their potential to raise gasoline prices, although prices have held steady so far.

Plaintiffs, including Food & Water Watch, Animal Legal Defense Fund, Center for Food Safety, and Central Valley Defenders for Clean Air and Water, accuse the California Air Resources Board (CARB) of failing to address community pollution concerns.

CARB declined to comment on pending litigation.