Greenhouse gases: cement sector: net-zero emissions strategy.

The California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 requires the State Air Resources Board to ensure that statewide greenhouse gas emissions are reduced to at least 40% below the 1990 level by 2030. The act requires the state board to prepare and approve, and update at least once every 5 years, a scoping plan for achieving the maximum technologically feasible and cost-effective reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from sources or categories of sources of greenhouse gases by 2020 under the act, as provided. This bill would require the state board, by July 1, 2023, to develop a comprehensive strategy for the state's cement sector to achieve net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases associated with cement used within the state as soon as possible, but no later than December 31, 2045. The bill would require the state board, in developing this comprehensive strategy, to define a metric for greenhouse gas intensity and evaluate data, as provided, to establish a baseline from which to measure greenhouse gas intensity reductions, coordinate and consult with other state agencies, prioritize actions that leverage state and federal incentives, and evaluate measures to support market demand and financial incentives to encourage the production and use of cement with low greenhouse gas intensity, among other actions. The bill would require the state board to establish interim targets for reductions in the greenhouse gas intensity of cement used within the state relative to the average greenhouse gas intensity of cement used within the state during the 2019 calendar year, with the goal of reducing the greenhouse gas intensity of cement used within the state to 40% below the 2019 average levels by December 31, 2035. The bill would require the state board, by July 1, 2028, to evaluate the feasibility of these interim targets and authorize the state board to adjust the targets upwards or downwards, as provided, to achieve these goals. The bill would require the state board to implement the comprehensive strategy, upon appropriation by the Legislature.