Few Find What They’re Looking for in Changes to California’s Low-Carbon Fuel Standard

Oct 09, 2024

By Blanca Begert

California put out new proposed changes Tuesday to the low-carbon fuel standard, its credit-based program to reduce emissions from transportation fuels — but almost no one is happy with them.

The amendments — the third set of changes proposed since last December, and likely the last as the California Air Resources Board is set to vote Nov. 8 — were smaller and more technical compared with the previous set released in August. The changes garnered praise from some industry groups, consternation from others and were panned by environmentalists who argue they did not address their concerns related to incentives for biofuels.

Tuesday’s amendments include a delayed phase-out of credits for hydrogen made from fossil fuels from 2030 to 2035 and a requirement that hydrogen dispensed at fueling stations be 80 percent renewable by 2030.

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Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.