California updates LCFS program, moves forward with 20% cap on biofuels from crop oils

The California Air Resources Board approved updates to the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard Nov. 8, including the contentious 20 percent companywide cap on biobased diesel fuels from virgin crop oils such as soybean, canola and sunflower-seed oils.  

The updates set targets to reduce the carbon intensity of California’s transportation fuel pool by 30 percent by 2030 and by 90 percent by 2045.  

The amendments also increase support for zero-emissions infrastructure, including for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, and make more transit agencies eligible to generate credits. 

To date, the LCFS has reduced the carbon intensity of California’s fuel mix by almost 13 percent and displacing 70 percent of the diesel used in the state with cleaner alternatives like biodiesel and renewable diesel.  

This has displaced 320 million metric tons CO2 of gasoline and diesel emissions since the program’s inception.  

To the dismay of biofuel associations and industry stakeholders, the updated LCFS sends long-term market signals to phase out combustion fuels and increase zero emission fuels and transportation options. 

The LCFS updates by CARB “include new guardrails to avoid land use changes resulting in potential loss of food production or deforestation,” the agency stated. “The majority of biomass-based diesel and sustainable aviation fuel in the LCFS has historically come from waste feedstocks, such as used cooking oil, animal fat and inedible distillers corn oil. To minimize potential land use issues, the program will require fuel producers track crop-based and forestry-based feedstocks to their point of origin. The LCFS will also require independent feedstock certification to ensure biomass-based diesel and sustainable aviation fuel feedstocks are not undermining natural carbon stocks. Palm-derived fuels are also explicitly prohibited from receiving credits.”  

For more information on industry reaction to CARB’s LCFS proposed amendments before adoption Nov. 8, and the industry’s reaction to them, click here.  

Clean Fuels Alliance America commended CARB for passing the amendments to the state’s LCFS, acknowledging the agency’s commitment to a cleaner future while also noting there is more work ahead to ensure crop-based renewable fuels are recognized as a long-term solution. 

“Clean Fuels has enjoyed a long partnership with CARB and is committed to working with staff to ensure that the updated regulation can meet California’s aggressive carbon-reduction targets while supporting the agricultural community that is the backbone of our sustainable, clean fuels,” said Cory-Ann Wind, Clean Fuels’ director of state regulatory affairs.  

Since the LCFS was adopted in 2009, California fleets have used increasing amounts of biobased diesel to lower emissions and lessen reliance on fossil fuels.  

Fifteen years later, 75 percent of the state’s diesel pool is renewable and responsible for 45 percent of California’s progress under the LCFS, Clean Fuels highlighted.  

Clean Fuels also said it appreciates CARB’s direction to convene a public forum on the latest science on land-use change related to transportation fuel and the impact on greenhouse-gas emissions.  

“It is imperative that the most current data is used to calculate the carbon intensity of fuels used in the LCFS, and we support this effort to get it right,” Clean Fuels stated.  

The 20 percent companywide cap on biofuels from soy, canola and sunflower-seed oils for companies that already have a certified fuel pathway takes effect in 2028.  

For more information from CARB on its updates to LCFS, click here.