Hawaii refines LCFS ambitions

Spanish Market: Biofuels, Emissions, Oil products
16/02/24

Hawaii would seek to slash the carbon intensity of the islands' road fuels by 50pc in 20 years under a proposed low-carbon fuel standard (LCFS) lawmakers advanced in the state legislature.

The proposal would establish by 2026 an LCFS cutting transportation fuel carbon intensity by 10pc by 2035 and 50pc by 2045 under a proposal approved by a state House of Representatives committee last week. Detailed language of the legislation became available late yesterday.

LCFS programs require yearly reductions in a jurisdiction's transportation fuel carbon intensity. Higher-carbon fuels that exceed these annual limits incur deficits suppliers must offset with credits generated from the distribution of approved, lower-carbon alternatives to the state's fuel market.

Hawaii's proposal focuses explicitly on gasoline and diesel. Language amended in the House Energy and Environmental Protection Committee last week expanded the alternative fuels qualified to generate credits. Speakers in an initial hearing on the House bill requested language more aligned with California's LCFS, which references broader fuel options, including electricity and forms of natural gas.

LCFS programs have advanced in numerous state legislatures this year. New Mexico lawmakers this week approved a standard requiring a 20pc reduction by 2030 that governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) said she will sign. Proposals filed in Illinois, New Jersey and New York have advanced to various stages of early consideration.

Hawaii's legislative session will continue through April.

By Elliott Blackburn

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