Transportation

Low Carbon Fuel Standards

A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon emissions of transportation fuels. An LCFS focuses on the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and accounts for the fuel’s life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, so the policy applies to emissions created during production, transportation, and eventual consumption of the fuel. Instead of establishing a standard that must be met by vehicle producers or owners, an LCFS program requires fuel producers to meet an emissions standard, or trade credits to comply with the program. This emissions standard becomes more stringent over time, driving down the carbon intensity of fuels, and therefore reducing GHG emissions.

An LCFS is technology-neutral — it does not mandate or outlaw the use of any particular fuel product, but simply incentivizes the products which perform best against the standard.

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Glossary of Terms

States with Policy Enacted

In Progress

Partially Enacted

See States List

Key Resources

Glossary of Terms

Clean Fuel Standards: The Market-Based Policy for States Looking to Clean Up Transportation

An analysis of existing LCFSs across four states, with key design considerations and recommendations, along with a calculator to customize a CFS by state.

2025

Source:

Overview of a Clean Fuel Standard (CFS)

An overview of CFSs, including environmental and economic benefits and how the policy works.

2022

Source:

Clean Fuels Michigan

Drafting a Clean Fuel Standard (CFS) to Manage Legal Risks

A roadmap for states looking to implement a new CFS by analyzing case studies where it has been implemented already, including a brief history of existing CFSs, descriptions of prior cases challenging them, the legal theories behind these cases, and relevant drafting and messaging considerations.

2022

Source:

Harvard Environmental & Energy Law Program

Policy Recommendations for a National Low-Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS)

A briefing paper that discusses several of the motivations behind implementing a national LCFS, evaluates key risks associated with LCFS policy design, and provides a set of recommendations to mitigate those risks and maximize the effectiveness of the policy.

2022

Source:

The International Council on Clean Transportation

Model States

Glossary of Terms

California

California Low Carbon Fuel Standard Program requires an overall 20% reduction in carbon intensity in 2030

2010

Establishing Policies

Oregon

Oregon Clean Fuels Program requires a 10 percent reduction in average carbon intensity from 2015 levels by 2025, followed by a 20 percent reduction by 2030 and 37 percent by 2035.

2016

Establishing Policies

Washington

Washington Clean Fuel Standard requires a carbon intensity reduction for transportation fuels of 45 percent below 2017 levels by 2038, with interim targets between 2023-2037.

2025

Establishing Policies

Glossary of Terms

Filters

Status	State Sort descending	Region	Year Enacted
Not Enacted	Alabama Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	Alaska Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	West
Not Enacted	Arizona Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Southwest
Not Enacted	Arkansas Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Southeast
Enacted	California Empty column California Low Carbon Fuel Standard Program requires an overall 20% reduction in carbon intensity in 2030 Establishing Policies Title 17, CCR, sections 95480-95503 (2010) California Low Carbon Fuel Standard Program Empty column	West	2010
Not Enacted	Colorado Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	West
Not Enacted	Connecticut Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Northeast
Not Enacted	Delaware Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	Florida Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	Georgia Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	Hawai‘i Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	West
Not Enacted	Idaho Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	West
Not Enacted	Illinois Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Indiana Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Iowa Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Kansas Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Kentucky Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	Louisiana Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	Maine Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Northeast
Not Enacted	Maryland Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	Massachusetts Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Northeast
Not Enacted	Michigan Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Minnesota Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Mississippi Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	Missouri Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Montana Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	West
Not Enacted	Nebraska Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Nevada Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	West
Not Enacted	New Hampshire Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Northeast
Not Enacted	New Jersey Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Northeast
Enacted	New Mexico Empty column Requires the Environmental Improvement Board to promulgate rules for a Clean Transportation Fuel Standard by July 1, 2026. Establishing Policies HB 41 (2024) Empty column	Southwest	2024
Not Enacted	New York Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Northeast
Not Enacted	North Carolina Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	North Dakota Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Ohio Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Oklahoma Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Southwest
Enacted	Oregon Empty column Oregon Clean Fuels Program requires a 10 percent reduction in average carbon intensity from 2015 levels by 2025, followed by a 20 percent reduction by 2030 and 37 percent by 2035. Establishing Policies SB 324 (2015) Chapter 340-253-0000 (2016) Oregon Clean Fuels Program Empty column	West	2016
Not Enacted	Pennsylvania Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Northeast
Not Enacted	Rhode Island Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Northeast
Not Enacted	South Carolina Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	South Dakota Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Tennessee Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	Texas Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Southwest
Not Enacted	Utah Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	West
Not Enacted	Vermont Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Northeast
Not Enacted	Virginia Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Southeast
Enacted	Washington Empty column Washington Clean Fuel Standard requires a carbon intensity reduction for transportation fuels of 45 percent below 2017 levels by 2038, with interim targets between 2023-2037. Establishing Policies Chapter 70A.535 RCW (2021) HB 1409 (2025) Washington Clean Fuel Standard Empty column	West	2025
Not Enacted	West Virginia Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Southeast
Not Enacted	Wisconsin Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	Midwest
Not Enacted	Wyoming Empty column A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Empty column	West

Low Carbon Fuel Standards

Key Resources

Clean Fuel Standards: The Market-Based Policy for States Looking to Clean Up Transportation

Overview of a Clean Fuel Standard (CFS)

Drafting a Clean Fuel Standard (CFS) to Manage Legal Risks

Policy Recommendations for a National Low-Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS)

Model States

California

Oregon

Washington

Low Carbon Fuel Standards By State