State’s rapidly growing use of renewable diesel from crops threatens to hurt the environment more than it helps.
California’s rapidly growing demand for renewable diesel produced from crops could lead to more slashing and burning of tropical rainforests.
California pioneered the standard to support the development and use of lower-carbon fuels for transportation. It effectively encourages oil companies to subsidize low-carbon fuels and electric vehicles without bankrupting them, and the only costs to taxpayers are administrative. This innovative policy has been replicated in Oregon, Washington and Canada, while other states and Congress are considering comparable measures.
Renewable diesel offers such a compelling business opportunity to oil companies that two Bay Area refineries are being converted to produce it, possibly by the end of this year. California-inspired renewable diesel is booming across the country.As the industry grows, however, it’s having some unintended consequences. Until recently, most renewable diesel was made from waste cooking oil, rendered beef fat and corn-ethanol byproducts.
But other jurisdictions that have adopted or are considering policies like California’s are watching the state carefully. And the Treasury Department, European Union and global airlines are about to embrace plant oils as a substitute for the fossil fuels used in aviation. What California decides about renewable diesel will therefore have far-reaching effects.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Democrats losing their hold on California and California losing its hold on America Democrats are losing ground in California as California loses population to other states.
Read more »
Elias: You’re less likely to be shot in California than in red statesNate is an East Bay community papers editor for the Bay Area News Group and East Bay Times. He edits the Hills weekly Alameda Journal, Berkeley Voice, El Cerrito Journal, Montclarion and Piedmonter newspapers; Central Costa County's weekly Concord Transcript and Walnut Creek Journal papers; and East Contra Costa's weekly East County News.
Read more »
Legal marijuana in other states hurts livelihood of California growersDuring my junior year of high school, I got the same question everyone got at that age: “what do you want to be when you grow up?”
Read more »
Ex-California tax preparer gets 10 years for tax fraud that targeted 13 statesProsecutors say Stephen Jake McGonigle tried to claim more than $10 million, and did get $1.2 million.
Read more »
Trader Joe’s recalls some cashews in California and 15 other states due to salmonella riskThe affected 50% Less Salt Roasted and Salted Whole Cashews are sold in 16 states.
Read more »
California Sharing License Plate Data With Anti-Abortion StatesSeveral law enforcement agencies are reportedly rejecting guidance from California Attorney General Rob Bonta to not share the data.
Read more »