California Proposes CCUS Regulations - PracticalESG
. After delays, those regulations are finally here. CARB recently published its Proposed California Carbon Capture, Removal, Utilization and Storage Program Regulations and Associated Regulatory Amendments. The proposal outlines the intended purpose of the regulations, stating: “The primary objectives of the Proposed Regulation are to: - Support overall deployment of CCUS and CDR projects to meet statutory climate targets as demonstrated in the 2022 Scoping Plan; - Implement the CCUS Program to reflect Health an...
California Proposes CCUS Regulations
Oct 27 2026 climate, environment, esg
In 2022, California passed SB 905. This law required the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to develop a regulatory scheme for carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) by January 1, 2025. After delays, those regulations are finally here. CARB recently published its Proposed California Carbon Capture, Removal, Utilization and Storage Program Regulations and Associated Regulatory Amendments. The proposal outlines the intended purpose of the regulations, stating:
“The primary objectives of the Proposed Regulation are to:
- Support overall deployment of CCUS and CDR projects to meet statutory climate targets as demonstrated in the 2022 Scoping Plan; - Implement the CCUS Program to reflect Health and Safety Code section 39741.1, subdivision (c); - Adopt enforceable regulations requiring project operators to maintain financial responsibility for geologic carbon storage (GCS) projects as required by Health and Safety Code section 39741.5; - Develop enforceable implementation, monitoring, reporting, and emergency response requirements to support the efficacy, safety, and viability of CCUS and CDR projects in alignment with authority provided by SB 905; - Complement existing federal, state, and local permitting requirements associated with these project types and avoid creating duplicative regulatory requirements; - Increase public transparency of CCUS and CDR project information; and - Support alignment and integration with existing CARB programs.”
This proposal will be open for public comment until December 14, 2026. The new regulations place a regulatory burden on CCUS projects, but also ensure quality and safety are prioritized. CCUS technology may be a piece of the puzzle in emissions reduction strategies, but Carbon is a dangerous gas. California’s new CCUS regulations ensure that leaks are monitored and reported. There’s no silver bullet for solving climate change, and all mitigation strategies have their tradeoffs. Regulatory frameworks like California’s help explore these strategies safely. We’ll see if any other states model regulations after California’s.
Our members can learn more about CCUS here.