A California Superior Court rejected most challenges to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review for the conversion of an existing refinery in Martinez to a renewable fuels refinery. The court found that a failure to include information about the mix of feedstocks did not negatively affect the analysis of environmental impacts, noting that the analysis of greenhouse gas emissions had assumed the maximum operating capacity of the natural gas-fired hydrogen plant that produces hydrogen to process the feedstocks into fuel, which was effectively a worst-case scenario. The court further found that the information about the greenhouse gas estimates being based on maximum operating capacity of the hydrogen plant was disclosed in the record. The court also found that the petitioners failed to show the project would have significant indirect land use impacts, including deforestation impacts. However, the court found that discussion of odor mitigation measures was insufficient.

Challenge to environmental review in connection with repurposing of refinery in City of Martinez as a biofuel refinery.

Communities for a Better Environment v. County of Contra Costa

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California Court Rejected Challenges to Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Impacts for Renewable Fuels Refinery Conversion, but Remanded for Redo of Other Analyses

Filed

United States of America

California

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