Sample Comment Demanding Reform of the Low Carbon Fuel Standard

Dear Governor Newsom and Members of the California Air Resources Board (CARB),

I am writing to you personally to express deep concern about the current state of California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) and to implore you to take immediate action to address the environmental injustices embedded in the program.

Originally intended as a tool to combat climate pollution in the transportation sector, the LCFS has been manipulated by powerful corporations, particularly Big Ag and Big Oil. It has become the nation's largest and most lucrative pollution trading scheme for factory farm biogas, perpetuating harmful practices rather than serving its environmental objectives. It is driving the construction of more factory farms and factory farm biogas projects in states far from California, causing severe harm to air, water, public health, rural economies, and overall quality of life.

The current flaws in the LCFS, such as “avoided methane crediting” and inaccurate life cycle assessments, not only enable pollution but disproportionately harm low-income communities and communities of color. Factory farms, predominantly situated in these marginalized areas, inflict severe damage on air, water, public health, rural economies, and overall quality of life.

I urge you to consider and prioritize the following reforms to the LCFS:

1. Eliminate "avoided methane crediting" in 2024.
2. Address inaccuracies in the Life Cycle Assessment that ignore associated up and downstream greenhouse gas emissions from factory farm gas production.
3. Remove the 10-year "grace period" for factory farm gas producers.
4. Stop double counting by allowing factory farm gas projects paid for and claimed by other programs to sell LCFS credits as well.

CARB holds a pivotal opportunity this year to adopt new rules that align the LCFS with California's environmental justice commitments. Environmental justice, zero emission, and climate advocates have presented a clear alternative to the current policies that heap lavish rewards on the biggest polluters through the Comprehensive EJ Scenario. CARB should adopt those recommendations to stop moving California climate policy in the wrong direction.

I implore you to lead the charge in demanding a future free from the clutches of Big Oil and Big Ag. By prioritizing the well-being of Californians over corporate profits, we can reform the LCFS to protect communities most affected by its current flaws. Your decisive action in this critical matter would demonstrate a commitment to bold climate action rooted in justice. Please stop exporting your bad policy to our front doors.