After more than 12 hours of discussion and debate, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted to approve proposed amendments to the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) program. The meeting took place last Friday (11/8) in Riverside, California.
The final vote count was 12-2 with CARB Members Dean Florez and Diane Takvorian voting in opposition, demonstrating a strong consensus for approval. Immediately following, CARB issued an announcement highlighting their action.
California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard is globally recognized as an effective tool for promoting the production and use of low-carbon transportation fuels. It has successfully reduced methane emissions from dairy operations and supports the deployment of zero-emission vehicles and infrastructure while maintaining fuel neutrality. The LCFS continues to serve as a model for other governmental jurisdictions seeking effective strategies to achieve significant environmental results. Currently, three states—Washington, Oregon, and New Mexico—along with British Columbia, have adopted an LCFS and several other states are actively considering it.
CRTA President Nicole Rice attended the meeting to urge Board approval. She emphasized that while the final proposal wasn’t perfect, its enactment would “… reinvigorate investment in low-carbon fuels, support ongoing and future projects, and continue the prioritization of dairy methane emission reductions, a critical piece to achieving California’s methane abatement mandates and maintaining the state’s leadership on this critical climate issue.”
Board Member Florez abstained from voting, citing concerns about the potential negative impact of increased stringency on retail gas prices. Board Member Takvorian voted against the proposal, arguing that the amendments would not significantly improve near-term air quality in impacted communities. During the board deliberation, she proposed a last-minute motion to postpone the vote and instruct staff to release another 15-day package to further limit the crediting period for dairy digester projects constructed between 2024 and 2029. However, this motion was overwhelmingly rejected by the Board Members due to concerns about process and timing.
The Office of Administrative Law must receive the package before the one-year deadline expires on January 3, 2025, or the Board will have to restart the rulemaking process.
The video recording of the hearing has been posted and can be viewed here.