Oil refineries are shutting down in the world's fourth largest economy, which is increasingly run on electric cars, clean energy and a whole lot of regulation. Plus, some gripes and hopeful headlines.
I liked your post-great job researching and explaining consequences of moving away from fossil fuels. Personally, I have several concerns about mass use of electric cars. In no particular order: Disposal of used batteries in ways that don’t endanger health and the environment, the rare earth elements needed to produce the batteries and the political and environmental upheaval mining them creates, health of the electrical grid/capacity to charge many vehicles without crashing the system, and cost. I think I read that progress is being made toward recycling elements within the batteries, but don’t remember where I saw that. Anyhow, thanks for highlighting the complex energy issues California faces.
Yes, complex, indeed. I agree with you on electric cars. The ethical dilemmas you mention are compounded by the fact that the owner/CEO of the most popular electric car company is a lunatic. Electric cars don't promise a sustainable future, but they are helping to "stop the bleeding" for now on climate change. California is still a massively car- and truck-based culture/economy and we've made little effort to move away from that. My own town promises a car-free future while spending tens of millions to repave roads. What a contradiction. I envy the trains of Europe and Asia. How about that high-speed train from SF to LA?
Even with refineries located in the state, California has been consistently screwed by the oil companies in regards to gas pricing, so I would expect that trend to only increase. Hopefully, new car buyers are considering that when debating between gas and electric vehicles. Thanks for the information rich update!
Great piece and truly hopeful. I had no idea market penetration in CA for EVs is 25%...really incredible actually, especially considering electricity is pretty expensive there (EVs still way cheaper to operate than a gas vehicle). I have the feeling the EV revolution is going to sneak up on us and suddenly we're going to realize the tipping point is behind us...
And indeed - now if only CA would become human- rather than car-centric - probably a tougher job than the EV transition...
Yes, it's still very car-centric, and I'm not sure how we're going to extract ourselves from that.
Yes, I would say 9 out of 10 cars on my block are either hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or full electric, representing a wide variety of brands. Gas is too expensive ...
Snakes are auspicious in many cultures (I'm sure you know!). They just get a bad rap in Judeo-Christian tradition. I've been encountering them a lot lately. Perhaps it's a good sign ...
I think it IS a good sign, but I'm biased. Having grown up in the Christian-dominated US culture, I'm always surprised to learn about positive snake things in other cultures and religions. It's fascinating and wonderful. But still lots of work to do for them.
Great post, as always, Amanda, and thank you for the shoutout! California really seems to be paving the way with environmental initiatives. I just hope the economic instability can be addressed or possibly use those taxes towards incentives for people who transition to electric or take public transportation. You gave us a very comprehensive list and it’s hard to argue with the success of this initiative. I’m glad California is taking it seriously.
P.S. I’m embarrassed to admit I would have clicked on every single one of those AI headlines. I’m a sucker for a good cryptid 😄
On refineries: the lesson is that our actions have consequences. Good or bad or somewhere in between.
On compostable shopping bags: really silly! How hard is it to do as we do in the UK—simply carry with you reusable, last a lifetime, shopping totes. Easy peasy.
I'll point out that several huge refineries in CA (and 1 in WA) have converted to renewable diesel (RD). It is drop-in ready, requiring no changes in engines, because it is molecularly identical to conventional diesel, with which it is commonly mixed (called RD20, RD40, etc) based on the % of RD in the mix. It is made entirely from non-petroleum vegetable and animal oils. A refinery in North Dakota, originally built for Bakken oil, is now making RD for Calif out of soybeans. Up to 25% of diesel in CA is now RD. Spinoffs may include sustainable aviation fuel, and presumably RD versions of butane, propane, etc. offcuts in the refining process. Here's a dated post I did about it a few years ago: https://thecottonwoodpost.net/2021/01/26/the-renewable-diesel-revolution-how-california-is-reshaping-world-oil-markets/
Yes, I was aware of those plants. My problem with biodiesel is that it has created a huge incentive to deforest Indonesian rainforests for palm oil plantations, including incredibly valuable peatlands, which release methane once deforested. The destruction of forests and death and displacement of endangered orangutans are unconscionable. https://www.theorangutanproject.org/
We have many moral dilemmas, indeed, when it comes to a car and truck-based economy.
Thanks for bringing this up. It's been several years since I did a deep dive into RD (slightly different than biodiesel). I found a great piece (from 2024) by the Union of Concerned Scientists describing the RD situation, and especially focusing on its feedstocks. RD now accounts for OVER 50% of diesel use in Calif! Most the feedstock is soybean oil from the Midwest, and palm oil is not a feedstock. However, the whole point of the article is that diversion of soybeans to RD could lead to replacement by palm oil in overseas markets. Again, thanks for causing me to dig into this. It's a rapidly-changing thing that most news media does not cover. Here's the great piece: https://blog.ucs.org/jeremy-martin/all-about-biodiesel-and-renewable-diesel/
My eye caught on this quote from the article: "there are important indirect links between how much soybean oil bio-based diesel we use in the US and how quickly palm oil plantations expand in Indonesia or Malaysia"
This all comes back to our own supposed green laws and policies. I would have to dig around but recall that Indonesian forests were intact before the Federal Renewable Fuel Standard went into effect. This was part of a law passed maybe 20 years ago. Since then, the deforestation has been heartbreaking as demand for palm oil rose. And those forests are on some of the best carbon-sequestering peatlands in the world.
Another concern is one similar to my gripe about the compostable bags. It takes petroleum-based fertilizers to grow those soybeans!
The only bonus, which is a good one, is that RD and biodiesel are much better for air quality than regular diesel. 👍
There's always a "paper or plastic" ethical dilemma in all these decisions.
Wow! I’m excited about the good news and also how much California is doing to change things, though I agree they should have had better plans for moving forward. And Pangolins!! Yay. Also I used to live right by Paynes Prairie which is what I assume is the North Florida reserve for the Indigo Snake release. Can’t wait to read up on all of that!
Neither do rhino horns, or elephants feet and tusks, or snake scales and …..well you get the picture. One less animal dying needlessly makes me very happy indeed.
I liked your post-great job researching and explaining consequences of moving away from fossil fuels. Personally, I have several concerns about mass use of electric cars. In no particular order: Disposal of used batteries in ways that don’t endanger health and the environment, the rare earth elements needed to produce the batteries and the political and environmental upheaval mining them creates, health of the electrical grid/capacity to charge many vehicles without crashing the system, and cost. I think I read that progress is being made toward recycling elements within the batteries, but don’t remember where I saw that. Anyhow, thanks for highlighting the complex energy issues California faces.
Yes, complex, indeed. I agree with you on electric cars. The ethical dilemmas you mention are compounded by the fact that the owner/CEO of the most popular electric car company is a lunatic. Electric cars don't promise a sustainable future, but they are helping to "stop the bleeding" for now on climate change. California is still a massively car- and truck-based culture/economy and we've made little effort to move away from that. My own town promises a car-free future while spending tens of millions to repave roads. What a contradiction. I envy the trains of Europe and Asia. How about that high-speed train from SF to LA?
Indeed.
Good! Shut down all the refineries!
Amazing piece Amanda. Useful references too. Will share with colleagues!
Thanks for reading!
Old refinery properties would be make good green energy campuses.
Even with refineries located in the state, California has been consistently screwed by the oil companies in regards to gas pricing, so I would expect that trend to only increase. Hopefully, new car buyers are considering that when debating between gas and electric vehicles. Thanks for the information rich update!
Great piece and truly hopeful. I had no idea market penetration in CA for EVs is 25%...really incredible actually, especially considering electricity is pretty expensive there (EVs still way cheaper to operate than a gas vehicle). I have the feeling the EV revolution is going to sneak up on us and suddenly we're going to realize the tipping point is behind us...
And indeed - now if only CA would become human- rather than car-centric - probably a tougher job than the EV transition...
Yes, it's still very car-centric, and I'm not sure how we're going to extract ourselves from that.
Yes, I would say 9 out of 10 cars on my block are either hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or full electric, representing a wide variety of brands. Gas is too expensive ...
Thanks for including the Indigo Snake release in your list - many wouldn't consider that good news 🧡🐍
Snakes are auspicious in many cultures (I'm sure you know!). They just get a bad rap in Judeo-Christian tradition. I've been encountering them a lot lately. Perhaps it's a good sign ...
I think it IS a good sign, but I'm biased. Having grown up in the Christian-dominated US culture, I'm always surprised to learn about positive snake things in other cultures and religions. It's fascinating and wonderful. But still lots of work to do for them.
Great post, as always, Amanda, and thank you for the shoutout! California really seems to be paving the way with environmental initiatives. I just hope the economic instability can be addressed or possibly use those taxes towards incentives for people who transition to electric or take public transportation. You gave us a very comprehensive list and it’s hard to argue with the success of this initiative. I’m glad California is taking it seriously.
P.S. I’m embarrassed to admit I would have clicked on every single one of those AI headlines. I’m a sucker for a good cryptid 😄
Argh, a creature headline clicker! 😆
I'm sure you aren't alone. The bots know what works.
On refineries: the lesson is that our actions have consequences. Good or bad or somewhere in between.
On compostable shopping bags: really silly! How hard is it to do as we do in the UK—simply carry with you reusable, last a lifetime, shopping totes. Easy peasy.
Yes, easy peasy! Ban all plastic bags, period.
I'll point out that several huge refineries in CA (and 1 in WA) have converted to renewable diesel (RD). It is drop-in ready, requiring no changes in engines, because it is molecularly identical to conventional diesel, with which it is commonly mixed (called RD20, RD40, etc) based on the % of RD in the mix. It is made entirely from non-petroleum vegetable and animal oils. A refinery in North Dakota, originally built for Bakken oil, is now making RD for Calif out of soybeans. Up to 25% of diesel in CA is now RD. Spinoffs may include sustainable aviation fuel, and presumably RD versions of butane, propane, etc. offcuts in the refining process. Here's a dated post I did about it a few years ago: https://thecottonwoodpost.net/2021/01/26/the-renewable-diesel-revolution-how-california-is-reshaping-world-oil-markets/
Yes, I was aware of those plants. My problem with biodiesel is that it has created a huge incentive to deforest Indonesian rainforests for palm oil plantations, including incredibly valuable peatlands, which release methane once deforested. The destruction of forests and death and displacement of endangered orangutans are unconscionable. https://www.theorangutanproject.org/
We have many moral dilemmas, indeed, when it comes to a car and truck-based economy.
PS, thanks for the link. I will read the article.
Thanks for bringing this up. It's been several years since I did a deep dive into RD (slightly different than biodiesel). I found a great piece (from 2024) by the Union of Concerned Scientists describing the RD situation, and especially focusing on its feedstocks. RD now accounts for OVER 50% of diesel use in Calif! Most the feedstock is soybean oil from the Midwest, and palm oil is not a feedstock. However, the whole point of the article is that diversion of soybeans to RD could lead to replacement by palm oil in overseas markets. Again, thanks for causing me to dig into this. It's a rapidly-changing thing that most news media does not cover. Here's the great piece: https://blog.ucs.org/jeremy-martin/all-about-biodiesel-and-renewable-diesel/
Thanks for the article and conversation.
My eye caught on this quote from the article: "there are important indirect links between how much soybean oil bio-based diesel we use in the US and how quickly palm oil plantations expand in Indonesia or Malaysia"
This all comes back to our own supposed green laws and policies. I would have to dig around but recall that Indonesian forests were intact before the Federal Renewable Fuel Standard went into effect. This was part of a law passed maybe 20 years ago. Since then, the deforestation has been heartbreaking as demand for palm oil rose. And those forests are on some of the best carbon-sequestering peatlands in the world.
Another concern is one similar to my gripe about the compostable bags. It takes petroleum-based fertilizers to grow those soybeans!
The only bonus, which is a good one, is that RD and biodiesel are much better for air quality than regular diesel. 👍
There's always a "paper or plastic" ethical dilemma in all these decisions.
Wow! I’m excited about the good news and also how much California is doing to change things, though I agree they should have had better plans for moving forward. And Pangolins!! Yay. Also I used to live right by Paynes Prairie which is what I assume is the North Florida reserve for the Indigo Snake release. Can’t wait to read up on all of that!
Yes, the pangolin news was very uplifting. Their scales are no different than fingernails and offer no medicinal value.
Neither do rhino horns, or elephants feet and tusks, or snake scales and …..well you get the picture. One less animal dying needlessly makes me very happy indeed.