Not all oil is created equal. It isn’t just a matter of buring it and getting so many particulates, and so much CO2 dispersed in the air. Oil of different provenances give off different levels of crap. So, CARB is attempting to regulate.  Shockingly, the National Petrochemical Assoc. is suing:

A lobby group that includes BP and Shell in its membership has launched a legal challenge against low-carbon legislation in California that in effect rules out the use of oil from Canadian tar sands. The action by the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA) comes amid growing political, investor and consumer pressure on US oil companies not to participate in the carbon-intensive tar sands of Alberta. (Guardian UK)

It’s a pretty standard interstate commerce lawsuit. It’s something of a longshot case, as California has successfully regulated other products coming into the state. Like, um, say gasoline. We have our own mix here, toxic and pricey as it might be, and that has been allowed to stand for a while now. That profited the oil companies, so no rush to sue on that one. But this one is annoying to them, so they’re standing up for their corporate rights.

Of course, the two big oil shale producers, BP and Shell, are hiding behind NPRA on the lawsuit.  They each claim that they weren’t in on the process to sue on this regulation.  Convenient, that.

The case will be handled by the AG, Jerry Brown, we’ll be sure to update if there is any news.