Many new changes are coming to the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard in 2019 which will expand the program, provide greater flexibility and strengthen the program’s integrity while reducing the administrative burden for many fuel pathways.
The most significant proposed changes include:
20 percent reduction in fuel carbon intensity (CI) from a 2010 baseline by 2030
Restructuring of pathway classifications to 3 categories: Tier 1, Tier 2 and Look-Up Table pathways
5 new simplified calculation tools to streamline the carbon intensity assessment of Tier 1 fuel pathways
New California GREET model (CA-GREET3.0)
Allow corn fiber ethanol produced using Edeniq process to qualify as Tier 1 pathway
Expand definition of biodiesel pathways
Clarify that stand-alone renewable diesel production qualifies as Tier 1 and co-processed renewable diesel qualifies as Tier 2
Expanded incentives to promote deployment of ZEVs and ZEV refueling infrastructure
Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) credits added to the LCFS
Time-of-use (TOU) grid electricity use for EV charging and hydrogen production
Book-and-claim accounting for renewable natural used as process fuel
Reduce 20% substantiality requirement to qualify as Tier 2 pathway to promote process innovations
Inclusion of alternative jet fuel
Inclusion of fossil CNG, hydrogen and propane
Improved emission credits for innovations at conventional refineries
Required validation of new pathway applications
Voluntary verification of fuel pathways beginning in 2019 and mandatory verification beginning in 2020
The new rule makings will be finalized in late 2018. See the Low Carbon Fuel Standard site for more information.
