Environmental groups are suing California's air regulators, claiming the state’s biofuel policies harm vulnerable communities and fail to mitigate environmental damage.
Sophie Austin reports for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Environmental groups have filed lawsuits targeting California's low-carbon fuel standard, alleging it overlooks the negative environmental and social impacts of biofuels.
- Critics argue that biofuel production contributes to local pollution, deforestation and competition with food production, disproportionately affecting low-income and Latino communities.
- State officials defend the program, stating it promotes cleaner fuels and infrastructure while supporting California’s carbon neutrality goals by 2045.
Key quote:
“People who live near refineries in California are harmed by the spiraling expansion of polluting biofuels.”
— Katherine Ramos, program director, Communities for a Better Environment
Why this matters:
While biofuels are presented as a climate solution, their production can exacerbate environmental harm and inequities, especially for vulnerable populations. Policymakers must weigh the trade-offs between emissions reduction and community health.
