Gov. Newsom Signs Bill That Sacrifices Safety Despite Heavy Opposition

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law a bill that prohibits the sale, distribution, or making available leaded aviation gasoline beginning on January 1, 2031.

The bill was brought by State Senator Caroline Menjivar and although it originally had a much shorter timeline, it was still opposed by some community and environmental groups. To no one’s surprise, the most strenuous objections came from airports and aviation groups and businesses.

Sen. Menjivar said in February when she introduced the bill, “When I ran for office, one of my main promises to my community was to fight for cleaner air. To hold accountable the polluters who disregard the impacts of their actions in predominantly communities of color, and to push for policy that decreases the amount of pollution statewide.“

However, most of us are aware that unleaded avgas was approved for piston-engine aircraft in 2022. But the sheer number of such airplanes make it a practical impossibility to complete adequate testing for all engine makes and models by 2031. Not to mention the lack of widespread and consistent availability.

Gerald Adler, an aviation manufacturing consultant said, “She’s thinking with her heart and not her brain. Unleaded fuel was approved for piston-engine planes in 2022, but the problem is that a lot of engines are not rated for unleaded fuels. Could they run on it? Yes. But the problem comes with testing. Not all have been tested with it properly and still need leaded av gas. And there is no way that testing of all relevant engines can be done by 2031. More time is needed. Whoever came up with this bill just doesn’t realize the nuts and bolts behind this.”

Adler continued, “Again, it is a good thing for the switch, and the industry is really working their way there. We just need to test all these engines first to make sure no problems happen. It’s for safety. The person who wrote this, Menjivar, is sacrificing safety here, and that is just not ok. She needs to use her head.”

He also said lawsuits would be forthcoming, as the bill appears very short-sighted and was apparently not thought through at all.

FMI:  www.ca.gov/