California Office of Administrative Law flags key concerns for biobased diesel

The California Office of Administrative Law outlined Feb. 25 its decision to reject amendments to the Low Carbon Fuel Standard.

OAL’s decision document identified a number of potentially substantive issues that could impact the success of biomass-based diesel in the state.

These include:

• Indirect land-use change (ILUC) values.

• New fuel-pathway applications.

• Sustainability certification systems.

• Specified feedstock attestations.

OAL initially notified the California Air Resources Board Feb. 18 that recent amendments to the LCFS failed to meet state legal standards under government code section 11349 (c) for clarity.

CARB is required to resubmit revised regulations that address OAL’s concerns within 120 days of its receipt of OAL’s decision to disapprove regulatory action.

OAL then has 30 working days to take action on the updated regulation.

Jeff Earl, the director of state governmental affairs with Clean Fuels Alliance America, said there will be an opportunity to voice the industry’s concerns during a 15-day public comment period if one is triggered.

“Clean Fuels Alliance America will collaborate closely with its members to draft comments that ensure the latest science guides clear, effective regulations supporting the success of crop-based biodiesel and renewable diesel without unnecessary barriers,” Earl said.

Made from an increasingly diverse mix of resources such as recycled cooking oil, soybean oil and animal fats, the clean-fuels industry is a proven, integral part of America’s clean-energy future.

Clean Fuels Alliance America is the U.S. trade association representing the entire biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supply chain including producers, feedstock suppliers and fuel distributors. 

Clean Fuels receives funding from a broad mix of private companies and associations, including the United Soybean Board, Nebraska Soybean Board and other state checkoff organizations.