By requiring fuel suppliers to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels, the Clean Fuel Standard will cut statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 4.3 million metric tons a year by 2038, and will stimulate economic development in low carbon fuel production.
California, Oregon, and British Columbia have adopted their own clean fuel standards. In Washington, the Clean Fuel Standard will work beside the Climate Commitment Act to target the largest source of emissions in Washington.
The Clean Fuel Standard law requires fuel suppliers to gradually reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels to 20 percent below 2017 levels by 2038. There are several ways for fuel suppliers to achieve these reductions, including:
- Improving the efficiency of their fuel production processes
- Producing and/or blending low-carbon biofuels into the fuel they sell
- Purchasing credits generated by low-carbon fuel providers, including electric vehicle charging providers
Proposed rulemaking timeline
Ecology announced rulemaking for the Clean Fuels Program Rule in July 2021. The program will begin in January 2023.