Assemblymember Diane Papan’s AB 1849 is a disappointment wrapped in green branding. The bill orders a statewide assessment of so‑called “decarbonized gaseous fuels,” including fuels made from burning forest and agricultural biomass — an industry that has been trying to rebrand smoke as climate progress for years. AB 1849 positions these fuels as a bridge to a clean‑energy future, but the science is clear: Burning biomass releases carbon, as well as methane, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen, immediately, while any “regrowth” payback can take decades we simply don’t have.
Worse, the bill risks creating new incentives to extract and burn forest material under the banner of climate action. That’s not resilience — it’s a recipe for degraded ecosystems, lost biodiversity, and weakened natural carbon sinks.
California’s forests are already stressed; turning them into fuel feedstock is the opposite of climate stewardship.
And let’s not pretend biomass combustion is clean. Communities downwind of these facilities breathe the pollution, while the industry collects subsidies for a climate benefit that exists mostly on paper.
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California needs real climate solutions — electrification, efficiency and truly zero‑carbon energy — not a reheated combustion strategy dressed up as innovation.
AB 1849 is a detour masquerading as a road map, and it’s frustrating to see Papan champion a bill that props up a false solution just when we need clarity and courage.
We can’t afford to burn our way to “clean energy.” Lawmakers should reject AB 1849 and demand a climate policy that cuts emissions, not corners.
Thanks for your letter, Ms. Normoyle, but we’ve gone through this before – multiple times. The status quo regarding forest management that you’re in favor of didn’t work out too well for folks in Los Angeles County. Wouldn’t it be better if we make use of trees/biomass instead of allowing wildfires to burn trees and houses and many other things standing in their way? You say we can’t afford to burn our way to “clean energy” but what are your alternatives – burn more fossil fuels? The clean energy in the form of nuclear isn’t being embraced so you don’t have much choice.
Shouldn’t we protect the climate from forest fires and also conserve biodiversity by preventing our forests from burning down in the first place? Wildfires will occur but we can limit the size and scope of these wildfires with proven fire and forest management techniques. You’ve offered constant complaints but you haven’t offered any alternatives. We know the status quo doesn’t work.
Terence Y still fails to understand that the SO Cal fires were not "Forest" burning; they were chaparral and homes. In fact the greatest firestorm pockets were fueled by the houses themselves, which offer a far denser combustion source than any forest anywhere. All current studies confirm we need homes built fire-safe. No amount of clear-cut logging miles away from your home will protect you if you live in a tinder box.
KDM, blame the developer, how quaint. There was no water available to extinguish the fires because the local water system and hydrants were not fire ready and capable. CAL Matters knew this based on previous failures throughout CA, yet chose to sit on their hands rather than being proactive and upgrading the Palisades system prior to catastrophe.
BTW - For hundreds of years the American Indian had not problem with forest fires. They understood the forest needed to be managed with controlled burns. Then Greenpeace and the hippies came along in the name of environmentalism and decided they didn't like land management and maintenance. Black robes allowed these nut brigades to tie things up in court for years and now we have a mess.
Thank you Jennifer for highlighting Papan's mis-guided and unenlightened carbon platform. Sadly, Senator Padilla has likewise been endorsing similar mis-guided forest management policies such as the illogically named "Save our Forests" and now a similar plan with Sequoias. We now know that human efforts of fire suppression were poor forest management. However, human attempts to "manage" forest growth are equally damaging. Humans need to stay out of the way and let forests heal, and let nature manage as it has evolved.
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(6) comments
Wow Jennifer, really well thought out explanation of the false "Greenwashing" effort by those who should know better. Well written as well. Thanks
Thanks for your letter, Ms. Normoyle, but we’ve gone through this before – multiple times. The status quo regarding forest management that you’re in favor of didn’t work out too well for folks in Los Angeles County. Wouldn’t it be better if we make use of trees/biomass instead of allowing wildfires to burn trees and houses and many other things standing in their way? You say we can’t afford to burn our way to “clean energy” but what are your alternatives – burn more fossil fuels? The clean energy in the form of nuclear isn’t being embraced so you don’t have much choice.
Shouldn’t we protect the climate from forest fires and also conserve biodiversity by preventing our forests from burning down in the first place? Wildfires will occur but we can limit the size and scope of these wildfires with proven fire and forest management techniques. You’ve offered constant complaints but you haven’t offered any alternatives. We know the status quo doesn’t work.
Thanks for bringing this issue to the attention of SM County voters.
Terence Y still fails to understand that the SO Cal fires were not "Forest" burning; they were chaparral and homes. In fact the greatest firestorm pockets were fueled by the houses themselves, which offer a far denser combustion source than any forest anywhere. All current studies confirm we need homes built fire-safe. No amount of clear-cut logging miles away from your home will protect you if you live in a tinder box.
KDM, blame the developer, how quaint. There was no water available to extinguish the fires because the local water system and hydrants were not fire ready and capable. CAL Matters knew this based on previous failures throughout CA, yet chose to sit on their hands rather than being proactive and upgrading the Palisades system prior to catastrophe.
BTW - For hundreds of years the American Indian had not problem with forest fires. They understood the forest needed to be managed with controlled burns. Then Greenpeace and the hippies came along in the name of environmentalism and decided they didn't like land management and maintenance. Black robes allowed these nut brigades to tie things up in court for years and now we have a mess.
Thank you Jennifer for highlighting Papan's mis-guided and unenlightened carbon platform. Sadly, Senator Padilla has likewise been endorsing similar mis-guided forest management policies such as the illogically named "Save our Forests" and now a similar plan with Sequoias. We now know that human efforts of fire suppression were poor forest management. However, human attempts to "manage" forest growth are equally damaging. Humans need to stay out of the way and let forests heal, and let nature manage as it has evolved.
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