U.S. State Laws & Regulations
Clean fuel, clean heat and renewable gas standards are policy mechanisms, generally adopted at the state level, to reduce emissions from different energy sectors—transportation, buildings and utilities, respectively.
Want to learn more? Click on our one-sheet explainer document to view and download more information.California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS)
The Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) is administered by the California Air Resources Board. Established In 2007 through a Governor’s Executive Order, it uses a market-based cap and trade approach to lowering the greenhouse gas emissions from petroleum-based transportation fuels like reformulated gasoline and diesel. The LCFS requires producers of petroleum-based fuels to reduce the carbon intensity of their products, beginning with a quarter of a percent in 2011 targeting a 20 percent reduction in 2030.
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Oregon Clean Fuels Program
The Oregon Clean Fuels Program, approved by the 2009 Oregon Legislature, aims to reduce Oregon’s greenhouse gas pollution by lowering the carbon content of transportation fuel used in the state. DEQ is currently implementing the program’s first phase, which entails collection of data from fuel importers and producers. Oregon’s Environmental Quality Commission adopted rules for the first phase of the Oregon Clean Fuels program in December 2012 and amended them in December 2013.
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)
RGGI, an initiative of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States of the U.S., is the first market-based regulatory program in the United States to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. RGGI is a cooperative effort among the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont to cap and reduce CO2 emissions from the power sector.
Washington State Clean Fuel Standard
The Washington legislature passed the Clean Fuel Standard in 2021 and directed the Department of Ecology to implement the program beginning in 2023. Over the next 12 years, the new standard will reduce annual transportation emissions statewide by 20%, or about 4.3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. That’s comparable to taking more than 900,000 cars permanently off the road.
Proposed Clean Fuel Standard (CFS) Legislation
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Hawai'i
SB 1120 proposes to establish a Clean Fuel Standard for Hawai’i.
Passed both chambers with separate amendments however House and Senate leadership could not reconcile changes to the bill.
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Illinois
SB 41 proposes to establish a Clean Transportation Standard, also known as a Clean Fuels Standard.
Introduced but has not yet been heard in committee.
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Minnesota
HF 2847 proposes a Clean Transportation Fuels Standard, also known as a Clean Fuels Standard in Minnesota.
RNG Coalition supported this legislation in concept but have requested the bills be amended to remove language that prevents renewable energy credit generation from RNG produced from new or expanding dairy operations. The bill sponsor indicated that this bill is intended to be amended as it progresses over the next session.
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New Mexico
HB 41 proposes a Clean Fuel Standard in New Mexico.
The bill passed both the House and Senate, and as of February 15, 2024, awaits a signature from the Governor, who is expected to sign the bill. The passage of HB 41 makes New Mexico the fourth state to enact a CFS and the first state outside of the west coast to adopt the policy.
Want to support Clean Fuel Standard and Clean Heat Standard legislation or encourage your state to introduce legislation? Use the sample letters below to write to representatives in your state. (Click to Download)
Sample Letter - Appeal for Clean Heat Standard
Sample Letter - Appeal for Clean Fuel Standard