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California rules to reduce fuel emissions 10% by 2020

California’s Air Resources Board (ARB) has adopted Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, which calls for a 10% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from fuels by 2020.

The legislation is aimed at increasing the use of alternative fuels and drastically cutting emissions.

“The drive to force the market toward greater use of alternative fuels will be a boon to the state’s economy and public health - it reduces air pollution, creates new jobs and continues California’s leadership in the fight against global warming,” commented ARB chairman Mary D. Nichols.

The ARB estimates that 1.5 billion gallons of biofuel will be required to meet demand, which will drive the expansion of biofuel facilities in the state.

Under the regulation, biofuel producers, refiners, importers and blenders will have to meet an average standard of ‘carbon intensity’ that will become progressively tighter.

For the next seven years, the state is making available $120 million dollars per year to help the development and introduction of these low-carbon biofuels and the cars that run on them.

Despite the controversy surrounding biofuels, ARB maintains that they expect the new generation of biofuels to be based on sustainable feedstock such as algae, wood, agricultural waste, switchgrass and even municipal solid waste.

Campaigner group Transport & Environment has welcomed the move as a step in the right direction.

“The California standard is the world’s first attempt at cutting carbon emissions from fuels that also takes into account the crucial scientific evidence on indirect emissions from biofuels,” says Nusa Urbancic.

“The approach may not be perfect, but it can be improved as the science evolves.”

The EU should take heed of California’s ruling and revise its own policy on biofuels, adds Urbancic, to send a signal that ‘bad’ biofuels have no future.

However, stringent governmental monitoring of biofuels in the UK has revealed that even with the best will it is not a trivial matter to ensure – or even know – where biofuels come from.

For further information:
www.arb.ca.gov/
www.transportenvironment.org/

27 April 2009

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