California Releases Preliminary Carbon Capture And Storage Program Regulations Ahead Of Public Comment Period
, 27th October 2026 California Air Resources Board The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has released preliminary regulatory proposal materials for the proposed California Carbon Capture, Removal, Utilization, and Storage Program Regulations, along with associated amendments to several existing climate regulations. The materials, including the Staff Report and proposed regulatory text, were posted on October 20, 2026, on the Carbon Capture, Removal, Utilization, and Storage Program webpage. CARB is preparing...
Tuesday, 27th October 2026
California Air Resources Board
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has released preliminary regulatory proposal materials for the proposed California Carbon Capture, Removal, Utilization, and Storage Program Regulations, along with associated amendments to several existing climate regulations. The materials, including the Staff Report and proposed regulatory text, were posted on October 20, 2026, on the Carbon Capture, Removal, Utilization, and Storage Program webpage. CARB is preparing to submit these rulemaking materials to the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) as part of the formal regulatory process.
According to CARB, the proposed regulation is expected to enter a 45-day public comment period beginning October 30, 2026, and ending December 14, 2026. The agency noted that the materials could still be modified based on feedback received from the Office of Administrative Law before the official comment period begins. Stakeholders and members of the public will be able to submit written comments through a dedicated comment docket that will be announced in a forthcoming notice of proposed rulemaking.
The proposal is tied directly to California’s broader climate strategy and stems from legislation signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2022. Specifically, Assembly Bill 1279 (AB 1279) and Senate Bill 905 (SB 905) were enacted to help accelerate climate action across the state. The legislation recognizes the need for significant greenhouse gas reductions and the achievement of carbon neutrality in the coming decades as California works to address the impacts of climate change.
AB 1279 established California’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent below 1990 levels and achieving carbon neutrality no later than 2045. CARB also highlighted findings from the 2022 Scoping Plan Update, which identified a transition away from fossil fuel combustion and the deployment of carbon capture, utilization, and storage technologies, as well as carbon dioxide removal strategies, as essential elements of meeting the state’s climate objectives.
SB 905 directs CARB to create what it describes as a first-in-the-nation regulatory program designed to support the safe, effective, and viable deployment of carbon management technologies. The legislation requires the development of a consistent statewide framework that works alongside existing state, local, and federal permitting programs. It also aims to ensure that the use of carbon management technologies aligns with California’s climate and public health goals.
CARB pointed to recent international findings as additional support for the role of carbon management technologies. In September 2026, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released a report titled Limiting Overshoot. The report stated that the world is not on track to limit temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius. However, it emphasized that failing to meet that target should not halt climate efforts. According to the report, carbon capture, utilization, and storage, along with carbon dioxide removal technologies, have an important role in reducing warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the century.
At the same time, CARB stressed that carbon management should not be viewed as a substitute for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Consistent with the 2022 Scoping Plan, the agency noted that these technologies are intended to complement, rather than replace, sustained emissions reductions. The proposal is therefore positioned as one component of a broader climate strategy focused on achieving long-term environmental goals while maintaining public health protections.
The announcement also highlighted the increasing impacts of climate change across California. CARB cited severe drought conditions, wildfires, extreme heat, economic losses, rising insurance challenges, and health impacts linked to wildfire smoke exposure as evidence that climate change is already affecting communities throughout the state. The agency said these growing challenges reinforce the need for continued climate action and support the development of policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing carbon management solutions.