Aguiar-Curry’s AB 70 Signed into Law, Accelerating California’s Methane Reduction Goals

(SACRAMENTO, CA) — Assembly Bill 70 (AB 70), authored and sponsored by Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D–Winters), was signed into law on Monday, October 13, by Governor Gavin Newsom. The law strengthens California’s efforts to meet the state’s ambitious climate goals by reducing methane emissions.

“Methane is among the most harmful of greenhouse gasses. This bill will help reduce those emissions and almost immediately help us fight climate change,” said Assembly Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry. “AB 70 helps California produce clean bioenergy and keep organic waste out of landfills so we can deliver immediate climate benefits.”

California law requires a 40 percent reduction in methane emissions by 2030 and the diversion of 75 percent of organic waste from landfills by 2025, but the state remains behind in meeting waste diversion requirements. AB 70 makes two important technical changes to help keep organic waste out of landfills and reduce methane emissions. It makes pipeline biomethane—a renewable gas produced from organic waste—eligible for procurement credit under CalRecycle’s organic waste diversion program. And, it codifies the technical definition of “pyrolysis” to clarify the term’s meaning in the state’s public resources code in the waste management division—which there was previously no definition, despite the term repeatedly used in code. AB 70 provides local governments and bioenergy developers with the understanding of what credits they qualify for and which permitting processes to use. It does not change the way projects are permitted. The signing of AB 70 brings greater consistency, transparency, and predictability to planning climate-friendly projects.

“California has been a global leader in tackling climate change, but we can’t meet our methane reduction goals without fully supporting the bioenergy solutions that turn organic waste into clean energy,” concluded Aguiar-Curry. “This law will make sure that pipeline biomethane is recognized for the important role it plays in creating cleaner, more sustainable communities across our state.”

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