California Environmental Quality Act: expedited judicial review: sustainable aviation fuel projects.

Assembly Member Blanca Rubio's legislation expands California's expedited environmental review process to include sustainable aviation fuel projects, authorizing the Governor to certify up to three qualifying facilities for streamlined California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) procedures. The bill adds sustainable aviation fuel manufacturing, processing, storage, and distribution facilities to the existing categories of infrastructure projects eligible for accelerated judicial review.

To qualify for certification, sustainable aviation fuel projects must meet specific environmental criteria, including using non-fossil fuel feedstocks and demonstrating either reduced emissions compared to baseline conditions when converting existing facilities or no significant air quality impacts for new facilities. Certified projects must undergo concurrent preparation of administrative records during environmental review, with courts required to resolve any legal challenges within 270 days of filing.

The legislation requires project applicants to cover all costs associated with judicial proceedings, including trial and appellate court expenses and special master appointments if needed. Applicants must also fund the preparation of administrative records and demonstrate that greenhouse gas emissions will be fully mitigated. The Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation must make all certification materials publicly available at least 15 days before project approval.

This addition to California's infrastructure project framework aligns with the state's goals for aviation sector decarbonization, as outlined in regulations adopted by the Air Resources Board. The board's sustainable aviation fuel usage targets include reaching 200 million gallons by 2035 and transitioning 80 percent of commercial aviation propulsion fuels for intrastate flights to sustainable alternatives by 2045.