California faces lawsuits over biofuel policies

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.