Low Carbon Fuel Standard

San Francisco's Diesel Bus and Truck Fleet Just Got Much Greener

San Francisco's diesel vehicles have been using a biodiesel blend for years, but in a move that illustrates the differences among biofuels, Mayor Ed Lee announced that the fleet will now use 100 percent renewable diesel fuel.

December 14, 2015 - City and County of San Francisco Office of the Mayor

California's Oil Battles Move from Legislature to Air Resources Board

Big Oil may have defeated Gov. Jerry Brown's oil reduction goal in the legislature this month, but there are other avenues for the green governor to pursue his climate change agenda. The Low Carbon Fuel Standard was renewed by CARB on Sept. 25.

September 27, 2015 - The Sacramento Bee - Capitol Alert

California Won't Require 50 Percent Reduction In Oil Consumption After All

An ambitious energy-climate bill strongly backed by Gov. Jerry Brown was stripped of one of its three goals—to reduce oil consumption in half by 2030. The other two goals, increasing the renewable portfolio and increasing energy efficiency, remain.

September 12, 2015 - Sacramento Bee

Meet the Woman Guiding California to 100% Electric Vehicles by 2030

One of the most influential environmental regulators may be someone you never heard of. She is Mary Nichols, chair of the California Air Resources Board—twice over. She is pushing automakers to exceed the current 2025 goal for electric vehicles.

August 5, 2015 - Bloomberg News

12-Cent Gas Tax Increase Deal in Washington State

The Associated Press reports that while the exact details of the compromise plan that involve an 11.9-cent gas tax increase have yet to be released, the deal affects Gov. Jay Inslee's proposed low carbon fuel standard.

June 30, 2015 - Seattle Post-Intelligencer

A Small Hike in Oregon Gas Tax to Come at High Environmental Cost

Oregon may end its low carbon fuel standard, one of two in the nation, to increase the gas tax by four cents and implement a bevy of clean fuel alternatives to replace the three-month-old clean fuels program.

June 24, 2015 - The Oregonian

Study: Golden State Should Change Name to Greenest State

California's economy is not only the "least carbon-intensive" in the United States, it's the second lowest in the world when measured per economic output, according to a new study that evaluates economics and environment.

May 19, 2015 - San Francisco Chronicle

Study: 'It's hard to beat gasoline' on Air Quality

A University of Minnesota study published in PNAS looks at alternatives including ethanol and electricity and determined that "it's hard to beat gasoline." Even electric vehicles can do better or worse depending on how utilities source electricity.

December 17, 2014 - AP via ABC News

Unlocking the Biogas Potential in America's Farms

Thinking about "renewable power" often bring hydroelectric, wind, and solar to mind. The informed will recognize geothermal and biomass as major renewables. Biogas, the non-fossil natural gas, is not well known because few facilities capture it.

August 4, 2014 - EPA Blog

U.S. Supreme Court Approves California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard

A key regulation in California's war on global warming emissions withstood a major court challenge by the energy industry—both oil and corn ethanol—when the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear their challenge to an Appeals Court ruling on June 30.

July 2, 2014 - San Francisco Chronicle

Pop Quiz: What's the Difference Between Aerobic Decomposition and Anaerobic Digestion?

Yes, one is with and the other without oxygen, and both divert waste from the landfill—but in terms of the end products, what is the advantage of anaerobic digestion? Simply put, does society face a shortage of compost or renewable energy?

March 14, 2014 - NPR Morning Edition

At West Coast Climate Pact Signing, Brown Justifies His Support for Fracking

Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown has made climate protection a centerpiece of his policy agenda, yet he has also embraced the controversial technology of fracking to tap his state's huge shale oil reserves by signing SB 4. He explains his position here.

November 2, 2013 - San Jose Mercury - Science

Fed. Appeals Court Upholds CA's Low Carbon Fuel Standard

The Calif. Air Resources Board received uplifting news from the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals this week when they rejected the charge that the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, designed to reduce carbon intensity in fuel, impeded interstate commerce.

September 20, 2013 - Reuters

Fuel Industry Incites Fear of CA's Low Carbon Fuel Standard

"You think 50 cents in one week is bad - wait till the state adopts the Low Carbon Fuel Standard", warns one critic, predicting increases three times as much. The regulation was devised by the CA Air Resources Board to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

October 16, 2012 - San Francisco Chronicle

CA's Low Carbon Fuel Standard Regulation Is Approved

CA's Air Resources Board approved another 'first' - a low carbon fuel standard that will play a key role in meeting the state's aggressive climate action plan by reducing the carbon intensity of transportation fuels. Winners and losers are created.

April 28, 2009 - San Francisco Chronicle

Corn Ethanol Industry In The Tank

Low fuel prices, high corn prices, and a new CA regulation that penalizes the energy intensity necessary to convert corn to fuel are hurting the industry.

April 9, 2009 - San Francisco Chronicle

Reducing Emissions By Measuring Carbon In Fuel

CA's Air Resources Board has issued a new regulation to reduce carbon from fuels - and the ethanol industry isn't happy.

March 10, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

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