Court Ruling Invalidates County's Approval of CTV I
The ruling orders California Resources Corporation to stop operations and seek a new environmental review after judges found the county missed major project impacts.
- On Monday, Kern County Superior Court Judge Marcos Camacho ruled that the state's approval of Carbon TerraVault I violated the California Environmental Quality Act, finding the environmental review failed to adequately evaluate project consequences.
- Plaintiffs sued in 2024, arguing the environmental review ignored cumulative greenhouse gas impacts and failed to analyze future polluting industries like cement and steel that would supply carbon dioxide to the reservoirs.
- Designed to collect 46 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, the project represents "a resounding win for communities fighting against deeply flawed proposals," said Michelle Ghafar, senior attorney with Earthjustice's California office.
- California Resources Corporation President and CEO Francisco Leon expressed disappointment, calling the order "a step in the wrong direction." The ruling requires Kern County to set aside its approval, though the company plans to "aggressively pursue all available options."
- The ruling exposes a broader divide within the environmental movement regarding carbon capture's role in climate strategy. Future compliance could take years, leaving the project's operational status uncertain while California Resources Corporation prepares a new environmental report.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Court rules against California’s first carbon capture project, a key piece of state climate plans
A judge found the TerraVault project’s environmental review ignored industries that would supply its CO2. Carbon injections continue for now as the company vows to fight and a new review could take years.
Palo Alto Online
California’s first carbon capture project shot down in court in setback for climate policy
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. A Kern County judge ruled that approval of California’s first operating carbon capture and storage project — a technology the state is counting on to meet its climate goals — violated state environmental law and must be set aside. Judge Marcos Camacho found […]
California's first carbon capture project shot down in court in setback for climate policy
A Kern County judge ruled that approval of California’s first operating carbon capture and storage project — a technology the state is counting on to meet its climate goals — violated state environmental law and must be set aside. Judge Marcos Camacho found that environmental review of California Resources Corp.’s TerraVault project, which Kern County […]
Environmentalists successfully block California’s first carbon capture project
(CN) — A Superior Court judge ruled Tuesday that Kern County’s approval of California’s first carbon capture and storage project violated the state’s bedrock environmental law, the California Environmental Quality Act. The ruling is a win for local environmental justice and conservation groups, including the Sierra Club and the Center for Biological Diversity, who argued the county had left “multiple environmental, public health and safety issue…
Court Rules California's First Major Carbon Capture Project Violates Law
A California court ruled in favor of community, environmental justice, and conservation groups Monday, determining that Kern County’s approval of the massive Carbon TerraVault I project violated the state’s bedrock environmental law.
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