Low Carbon Fuels Standard
The goal of a low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transportation and other fuels, while sparking research into alternative fuels. California called for the first LCFS, setting a target of a 10 percent reduction by 2020. The 10 percent target is the basis for research and stakeholder discussions now underway to develop a low carbon fuel standard there and in other states. ENE is working to help Northeastern states and Canadian provinces study, develop and adopt a LCFS in our region.
Background
In January 2007, California's Governor Schwarzenegger issued an Executive Order calling for a low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions from passenger vehicle fuels 10 percent...
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Such a standard would include all possible energy sources used in transportation, including biofuels, electricity (i.e. for plug-in hybrids), compressed natural gas, hydrogen, and flexible transportation fuel (i.e., ethanol or E85, usually referred to as “F-T” fuels) among others. The LCFS will need to develop a system that fully accounts for the greenhouse gas emissions of each fuel type, a difficult but critical task. For more information, see Biofuels.
ENE is currently involved in initiatives in both Connecticut and Massachusetts that would impose mandatory limits on carbon emissions across all sectors of the economy. Both initiatives include low carbon fuel standards in their suite of policies aimed at achieving GHG reductions. The biofuels bill recently passed in Massachusetts also requires the state to develop and enter into an agreement with the Northeast states to adopt a LCFS. ENE is working to provide information and policy recommendations to states and provinces on how to shape a regional approach to an LCFS.
