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Bill

SB 285

Net zero greenhouse gas emissions goal: carbon dioxide removal: regulations.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Josh Becker

California bill establishes net-zero emissions goal and creates regulatory framework for carbon dioxide removal technologies and projects.

May 23 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.
#netzerogreenhousegasemissionsgoal #carbondioxideremoval #regulations
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Bill Summary · SB 285

Legislative bill overview

SB 285 establishes a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions goal for California and creates a regulatory framework for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies and practices. The bill advances California's climate commitments by requiring the state to achieve net-zero emissions while developing standards and oversight mechanisms for CDR projects.

Why is this important

California's climate goals carry significant weight nationally, as the state's environmental policies often influence federal standards and other states' legislation. CDR technologies are increasingly recognized as necessary complements to emission reductions, but lack clear regulatory oversight, creating both opportunities for innovation and risks of ineffective or unaccountable projects.

Potential points of contention

  • CDR technology maturity and cost: Many carbon removal technologies remain expensive and unproven at scale, raising questions about feasibility and whether resources should prioritize emissions reduction instead
  • Regulatory burden vs. innovation: Establishing new regulations could stifle emerging CDR companies with compliance costs, or conversely, weak standards could enable ineffective projects that don't deliver promised carbon removal
  • Accountability and verification: Determining how to accurately measure, verify, and credit carbon removal claims is technically complex and could disadvantage some approaches over others

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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