California Attorney General Rob Bonta submitted a comment letter on March 11 to the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, opposing a request by Worthington Enterprises, Inc. for federal preemption of a state law requiring reusable propane cylinders.
The issue centers on Senate Bill 1280, which prohibits the sale of certain non-reusable and non-fillable propane cylinders in California starting January 1, 2028. The law aims to reduce safety risks and environmental impacts associated with disposable one-pound propane cylinders commonly used for camping stoves and portable heaters. According to Bonta, “Disposable cylinders create safety risks for workers, are expensive to safely manage, and create unnecessary waste and emissions. SB 1280 will protect workers from injury in explosions and save local governments millions of dollars. California’s law is a commonsense measure, and we stand firmly behind the law and the people it protects.”
Worthington manufactures single-use propane cylinders that would be affected by the new regulation. The company argues that California’s requirement is preempted by the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act because it imposes additional design requirements beyond federal regulations and could disrupt uniformity in hazardous material regulation nationwide.
Bonta’s letter counters these claims by stating that California’s reusability requirement serves important interests for workers, residents, and the environment. Of about four million one-pound propane cylinders sold annually in California, an estimated three million enter municipal waste streams each year—many containing residual gas that can cause explosions or leak greenhouse gases into landfills. Bonta also argues that state laws like SB 1280 do not conflict with federal requirements since refillable cylinders are already widely available in various sizes.
The California Attorney General’s office promotes transparency through tools such as the OpenJustice portal for publishing criminal justice data according to the official website. It forms an integral part of the executive branch of state government according to the official website and serves as California’s chief law enforcement authority focused on enforcing state laws, protecting public rights and safety, as well as advancing civil rights, consumer protection, and environmental justice initiatives according to the official website. Rob Bonta leads this office according to the official website, exercising its authority across all of California according to the official website while advancing policies related to civil rights, economic security for consumers, and environmental justice according to the official website.
The outcome of this dispute may influence how states can regulate hazardous materials beyond federal standards while balancing industry concerns with worker safety and environmental protection.
