The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG Coalition) has welcomed proposed modifications to California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) offered by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
They included an increase in near-term programme ambition and other changes that should enable increased methane capture and greater diversity of clean fuels in the state.
"RNG Coalition applauds CARB for its responsiveness in releasing a more ambitious proposal for the LCFS," said RNG Coalition director of public policy Sam Wade. "This updated framework will allow renewable natural gas to continue to displace dirty diesel, reduce methane emissions, and eventually produce zero-emission fuels such as hydrogen."
CARB’s decision to implement a 9% step-down in the carbon intensity (CI) target starting in the first quarter of 2025 marks a notable shift from the previously proposed 5% reduction. This is a positive development and strong signal that California is serious about continuing to advance this pioneering and proven emissions reduction programme, said the organisation.
Aside from these welcome changes, RNG Coalition plans to provide constructive feedback on remaining areas of concern, including proposed changes to avoided methane emissions crediting periods from three to two for projects breaking ground before 2030.
"While we remain concerned about arbitrarily phasing out recognition for RNG project methane benefits, overall, this proposal helps restore LCFS programme stability," Wade said. "Stability is critically important if RNG is to be used as a tool to reach California's statutory methane reduction goals in the agricultural and waste sectors."
The RNG industry is committed to California’s clean fuel and methane reduction goals and applauds these proposed modifications as a step in the right direction for continued RNG adoption for California’s transportation fleets.
RNG Coalition welcomes progress in LCFS rule-making
