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-sheeter explainer document to view and download more information.California Low Carbon Fuel Standard
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.
Additional Resources:
California Air Resources Board LCFS Homepage
LCFS Program Meeting and Workshop Schedule
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.
Which U.S. states have proposed CFS or CHS legislation?
Proposed CFS Legislation
Hawai’i: HB 2297 / SB 2768 propose to establish a Clean Fuel Standard for Hawai’i.
SB 2768 has passed from its first committee and currently sits before the Senate Ways and Means Committee, while HB 2297 has also passed from its first committee.Illinois: SB 1556 proposes to establish a Clean Transportation Standard, also known as a Clean Fuels Standard. A hearing in the Illinois Senate for this bill has been scheduled for the week of March 11, 2024.
New York: A 964 / S 1292 proposed to establish a Clean Fuels Standard in New York State. Neither bill has been scheduled for hearing in their respective chambers.
Massachusetts: S 2286 proposes to authorize the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to promulgate regulations to develop and implement a Clean Fuel Standard within one year of the bill’s enactment. This legislation was referred to the Massachusetts Senate Transportation Committee but has yet to have a hearing.
H 3859 proposes a Clean Fuel Standard for the Commonwealth. The bill was referred to the House Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy Committee.
Michigan: SB 275 proposes a Clean Fuel Standard for Michigan. The bill was referred to the Senate Energy and Environment Committee as a part of the state’s larger climate package. SB 275 has yet to be scheduled for a hearing.
Minnesota: SF 2584 / HF 2602 propose 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 sponsors tabled these bills for this session. Minnesota Transportation budget bill, HF 2887, established a Clean Transportation Standard working group to address informational gaps regarding a CTS and develop language that could inform a future amendments to the CTS bills. The working group made its report to the Legislature on February 1, 2024.
New Jersey: A 3645 / S 2425 propose to establish a Low Carbon Fuel Standard in New Jersey. The bills have yet to be scheduled for a hearing before the Assembly Environment, Natural Resources, and Solid Waste Committee, and the Senate Environment and Energy Committee, respectively.
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.
Vermont: S 24 proposes a Clean Fuels Standard for Vermont. The bill carried over from the previous 2023 session, but has yet to be scheduled for a hearing.
Proposed CHS Legislation
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