August 13, 2024 – WASHINGTON – California’s Air Resources Board (CARB) took another step forward in its major rulemaking activities for the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) on Monday, issuing “15 Day Changes” to its proposed program amendments. In addition to prior actions by CARB, Monday’s proposed changes impact the biogas industry and its role in delivering fuel and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in California. Patrick Serfass, executive director of the American Biogas Council, issued the following statement in response:
“CARB’s proposed changes would support current and near-term biogas project development by increasing the carbon intensity (CI) reduction target to 9%. This positive change will do exactly what the LCFS is designed to do: more dramatically decrease carbon emissions in California. It will also increase demand for renewable transportation fuels from biogas. These fuels continue to have the lowest carbon intensity of any renewable fuels in California because they provide methane capture benefits in addition to reducing tailpipe emissions.
“Although biogas producers will appreciate this adjustment, other changes to deliverability requirements and avoided emission crediting may deter the industry from bringing new supplies to the program later in the decade.
“While CARB recognizes that biogas and renewable natural gas (RNG) have consistently provided the lowest carbon intensity fuels to the LCFS, as well fueled 97% of all compressed natural gas (CNG) cars and trucks in the state, the rulemaking this week, together with prior actions, could limit RNG’s ability to provide significant methane capture benefits after 2030.
“The biogas industry continues to cost effectively reduce methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, in line with California’s climate goals. Biogas producers are ready to carry those benefits and successes into other sectors in California, and to other states looking to replicate the success of California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard with their own clean fuels programs. We will continue our work to slow climate change by cutting methane emissions from organic waste and landfills across the U.S.”
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About the American Biogas Council
The American Biogas Council is the voice of the U.S. biogas industry dedicated to maximizing carbon reduction and economic growth using biogas systems. We represent more than 400 companies in all parts of the biogas supply chain who are leading the way to a better future by maximizing all the positive environmental and economic impacts biogas systems offer when they recycle organic material into renewable energy and soil products. Learn more online at www.AmericanBiogasCouncil.org, X and LinkedIn.
Contact:
Melissa Bailey, Director of Communications
melissa@americanbiogascouncil.org
310.465.5647