What happened at the February 26, 2026, California Air Resources Board (CARB) public hearing and meeting?
On Thursday, February 26, CARB voted to approve regulations implementing California’s two climate disclosure requirements. To implement these laws, the board approved the draft regulation, which provides key definitions, establishes annual compliance fees, and sets deadlines for the first year of reporting.
What are the key elements of the new regulation?
Definitions for “doing business in California,” “revenue,” “parent,” and “subsidiary” follow the approaches CARB described at its November 2025 public workshop.
The deadline was set for August 10, 2026, for first-year Scopes 1 and 2 GHG emissions reporting under SB 253. The regulation provides a cut-off for determining the applicable fiscal year for reporting. Overall, companies have 6-18 months to submit a GHG inventory report from the close of their fiscal year (FY). If their FY is a 12-month calendar year, FY 25 is to be reported in 2026. If a company’s FY ends Jan 31, 2026, data from FY 25-26 are to be reported in 2026. If a company’s FY ends Feb 2, 2026, data from FY 24-25 are to be reported.
The fee structure and calculation formula for each of the two. CARB staff estimated fees at $2,000 to $7,000 per in-scope company, depending upon which law applied.
Excluded are insurance companies, entities whose only business in California is employee compensation or payroll expenses, non-profits, and government entities, and a business entity whose only activity within California consists of wholesale electricity transactions.
Since these regulations were just issued, what enforcement is expected in 2026?
CARB emphasized that its enforcement guidance remains in effect, which provides accommodation for the first year of reporting. In its press release following the hearing, CARB noted that its priority is to support compliance through stakeholder engagement, and it will exercise enforcement discretion as long as good-faith efforts are made in first-year submissions.
When are climate risk disclosures under SB 261 due?
Enforcement of SB 261 is on a Ninth Circuit injunction, as acknowledged by CARB at the hearing. That injunction does not extend to SB 253. More than 120 climate-related financial risk reports have been voluntarily submitted and are publicly available at CARB’s SB 261 public docket.
What are the plans for future regulations under these laws?
CARB staff noted that additional topics are to be addressed in future guidance, with further SB 253 regulations to be proposed later this year. These are to address Scope 3 GHG emissions reporting, assurance, and reporting deadlines in 2027 and beyond.
CARB SB 253 and SB 261 Resources
See below for links to the notice of staff meeting presentation, the adopted regulatory text, and the press release, along with contact information for subject-matter experts should you require further assistance.
Visit SCS Engineers’ speakers and exhibitors at the CRWA Education & Exhibitor Show, April 27th – 30th, 2026 at Harrah’s Convention Center! The CRWA annual conference is your opportunity to connect, learn, and showcase—all in one unforgettable alpine setting. Throughout the event, attendees can participate in educational sessions led by industry experts, network with peers, and engage with exhibitors showcasing the latest technologies and services supporting rural water systems.
SCS Engineers’ experts Chuck Houser and Jonathan Meronek will present:
Geology Rules: Case Studies in Geo-Sciences of Ground Water Assessment and Supply
Wednesday April 29, 2026 | 9AM – 12PM
Engage with exhibitors offering the latest in rural water technology and collaborate with peers to solve real-world challenges facing your systems. With networking breakfasts, themed receptions, and hands-on demonstrations built into the schedule, you’ll come away with both actionable knowledge and lasting relationships. Between conference hours, enjoy Caesars Republic South Lake Tahoe’s welcoming resort atmosphere and the natural beauty of South Lake Tahoe—a setting that makes connecting, learning, and recharging enjoyable. Register today to join us!
SCS Engineers will participate in the 19th annual International Biomass Conference & Expo, taking place March 31-April 2, 2026, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, TN. This conference brings together leaders in biobased power, renewable fuels, thermal energy, and biobased chemicals.
Hosted by BBI International and produced by Biomass Magazine, the event is expected to attract nearly 900 professionals. Specifically, attendees include bioenergy producers, waste generators, municipal leaders, utility executives, technology providers, project developers, investors, and policy makers.
This year’s program features more than 30 panels and over 100 speakers. In addition, sessions will cover anaerobic digestion, gasification, pyrolysis, and combined heat and power. Content is organized into focused tracks, allowing participants to tailor their experience based on technical and strategic interests.
During the conference, Erik Anderson, Senior Project Advisor, will speak on:
Data Driven Strategies for High Performance Biogas Systems Wednesday, April 1 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM
Erik will present “Hybridized Reactor Design for Anaerobic Digestion of Waste Biomass” as part of a panel exploring data-driven decision-making, AI-enhanced digester operations, and chemistry-based process optimization. The session will highlight strategies to improve process stability, maximize productivity, and enhance overall biogas system performance.
SCS Engineers supports public and private clients with renewable energy development, waste-to-energy systems, air quality compliance, and environmental permitting. We provide practical solutions that help organizations meet regulatory requirements and improve operational performance.
We look forward to connecting with industry leaders in Nashville and continuing the conversation around advancing biomass and biogas technologies. Register now.
SCS Engineers will participate in the 119th Annual Conference & Exhibition (ACE), hosted by the Air & Waste Management Association (A&WMA), June 21–24, 2026, in Austin, Texas. ACE brings together environmental professionals from industry, consulting, research, legal, and government sectors to advance solutions to today’s most pressing environmental challenges.
The conference highlights Texas’s leadership across traditional and renewable energy. ACE 2026 will feature more than 200 technical presentations, nearly 40 panels, and concurrent tracks on air, waste, clean energy, sustainability, and environmental management.
Armando Hurtado-Garcia and Eva Luu will present on behalf of SCS Engineers. They will be presenting on topics that reflect SCS’s commitment to practical, science-based solutions for complex environmental and infrastructure challenges.
We look forward to engaging with industry leaders, regulators, and researchers that shape the future of environmental management. Join us in Austin at A&WMA ACE 2026, for an impactful week of learning, collaboration, and innovation. Register now!
SCS Engineers is pleased to welcome Christopher (Chris) Monahan as our new Vice President and General Counsel. With a Professional Engineering background, a Juris Doctor, and an LL.M. in Business Law, Chris brings a rare combination of technical, legal, and business expertise to our leadership team. He is based at our Long Beach, CA headquarters.
“Chris Monahan’s broad and multidisciplinary legal background spans construction, engineering, claims and litigation, M&A, renewable energy, labor and employment law, environmental compliance, real estate, international law, intellectual property, and technology, making him an ideal fit with our vision to be the leading provider of environmental solutions – delivering lasting outcomes for our clients and employee-owners,” says SCS President Curtis Jang.
Chris joins SCS with deep leadership experience across the renewable energy and engineering sectors. He has led legal departments and overseen enterprise risk management, compliance, contracts, litigation, IRA tax strategy, and SEC filings for organizations involved in solar and clean‑energy development. His background also includes managing large, multi-disciplinary legal teams and supporting complex projects across multiple jurisdictions.
When asked about joining SCS Engineers, Chris says, “It’s an honor to join SCS Engineers. I’m excited to contribute to an organization that protects our planet with integrity and purpose. The company’s vision, its focus on environmental solutions, its reputation for technical excellence and innovation, and its employee-owned culture position the company to do remarkable things.”
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Chris enjoys surfing, triathlons, and spending time with his family. He shared that his family is very enthusiastic about this new chapter and looks forward to becoming part of the SCS Engineers family—both personally and professionally.
Chris holds an LL.M in Business Law from the University of Sydney, a Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School, an MS in Civil Engineering from UCLA, Bachelor’s degrees in Engineering (Cal State Long Beach) and Accounting (Pepperdine), and graduate certificates in Enterprise Risk Management and Construction Management from UCLA. He is licensed as a California attorney, a U.S. Patent Attorney, a Solicitor in Australia (inactive), and a Professional Civil Engineer in California.
Please join us in welcoming Chris Monahan to SCS Engineers. We are enthusiastic about the depth of his experience, leadership, and strategic insight, and look forward to his contributions to our leadership team.
Join SCS Engineers at the Environmental Industry Summit (EIS) XXIV, April 1–3, 2026, in Coronado, San Diego County. Environmental Business International (EBI) hosts the Summit each year, bringing the environmental industry together to strengthen its professional community.
This year’s event will convene 150+ executives for a multiple-day program focused on business strategy, market trends, and leadership. The Summit also features the annual EBJ & CCBJ Business Achievement Awards banquet, celebrating high performance and innovation across the industry.
SCS Engineers is proud to serve as a sponsor of Environmental Industry Summit (EIS) XXIV and to proudly have earned both the Climate Change Business Journal Achievement Award for Innovation and the Environmental Business Journal Project Award at EIS XXIV.
A state-of-the-art covered aerated static pile (CASP) facility, designed by SCS Engineers and located next to Kern County’s Shafter-Wasco Landfill in California, can divert 100,000 tons of organic waste from landfills annually. This facility is far more than just another improvement to Kern County’s solid waste infrastructure—it is a cornerstone of its commitment to sustainability and response to landmark legislation driving the state’s organics diversion and zero-waste initiatives.
SCS Engineers, in collaboration with the U.S. EPA, developed a time-based Computational Pressure (CP) Model to improve Class VI well permitting for carbon capture and sequestration (CCS). Unlike traditional methods that assume immediate hydrostatic equilibrium, this model calculates brine migration as a function of time and overpressure, providing a more realistic, site-specific approach to defining the Area of Review.
Join SCS Engineers at EEI National Accounts Spring Conference, taking place April 12–15, 2026, in Phoenix. EEI’s National Accounts Spring Conference brings together national corporate energy users and key industry stakeholders to build relationships, conduct business, and address today’s most pressing energy challenges.
The workshop offers opportunities to meet face-to-face with electric companies, corporate customers, technology providers, and industry suppliers to support customer energy management needs. Attendees will also share best practices and benchmarking insights with peers, explore the latest industry trends through keynote sessions and breakouts, and engage in interactive roundtable discussions focused on real-world solutions. Register now!
Join SCS Engineers at the AEE World Energy Conference & Expo, taking place September 16–18, 2026, in Orlando, FL. The AEE World Energy Conference & Expo is the flagship global event for professionals advancing energy efficiency, decarbonization, and sustainable energy systems. Each year, leaders from industry, government, utilities, and organizations come together to share practical insights, examine real-world case studies, and explore technologies shaping the future of energy.
More than a traditional conference, AEE World serves as a working platform, designed to help professionals move from ideas to implementation while building trusted global connections that extend beyond the event. Focused on accelerating global energy solutions, the conference highlights proven approaches and emerging strategies across regions, sectors, and disciplines.
SCS Engineers will be attending the 2026 Baird Global Industrial Conference. This event is taking place November 10–12, 2026, at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago in Chicago.
This premier, invitation-only conference brings together senior executives from more than 280 leading public and private companies representing mid- to large-cap organizations across the industrial sector. The event offers a unique forum for strategic conversations, market insights, and high-level networking with investors and industry leaders.
In addition to the in-person conference, Baird is hosting a virtual private company event (dates to be announced). Attendees will have access to webcasted company presentations and one-on-one meetings with investors and senior management. Participating companies span a wide range of sectors, including industrial equipment, aerospace and defense, chemicals, energy technology, manufacturing, transportation, and logistics.
Join SCS Engineers at the ACS Spring Meeting 2026. Taking place March 22–26, 2026, in Atlanta at the Georgia World Congress Center, with both in-person and virtual attendance options available.
Hosted by the American Chemical Society, ACS Spring Meeting brings together scientists, researchers, and industry professionals to collaborate and explore breakthrough science shaping the future of chemistry. The conference offers a dynamic mix of technical programming, career-building sessions, and networking opportunities designed to expand knowledge and invigorate career paths—whether attending onsite or online.
With flexible participation options, ACS Spring 2026 provides a rewarding experience for professionals looking to stay at the forefront of chemical science and its real-world applications. Register today!
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