Low Carbon Fuel Coalition – Policy Tracking
Updated March 22, 2016
California (Low Carbon Transportation and Fuels Investments and AQIP)
As previously reported, the Air Resources Board has provided notice of its final public workshop to address the development of the FY 2016-17 Funding Plan for Low Carbon Transportation and Fuels Investments and AQIP. The final workshop will be held on April 4, 2016 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the CalEPA Headquarters in Sacramento. Staff will continue to take input on the draft project design for the new low carbon fuels production incentive program.
Graham plans to attend the workshop on the 4th.
ARB concept paper regarding planned spending of $40M for fuels:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aqip/meetings/040416_discussion_doc.pdf
Legislative Highlights:
California (Funding, SB 1402, Referred to Senate Committee, 3/10/16)
SB 1402 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Environmental Quality and is scheduled to be heard at the committee’s April 6, 2016 meeting. As previously reported, this bill authorizes money in the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) to be used to encourage the in-state production of low carbon fuels from new and existing facilities, using sustainable feedstock, with preference to be given to disadvantaged communities.
See attached documents from Senator Pavley’s office for further information regarding SB 1402.
California (Funding, AB 1697, Referred to Assembly Committee, 3/17/2016)
AB 1697 amends the criteria by which funding decisions are made under the existing Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program (ARFVTP). In addition to existing criteria for selecting winning ARFVTP projects, AB 1697 adds two criteria for earning preferential consideration: (1) the project’s ability to provide a path for trained workers to transition to jobs in the clean tech and renewable fuel sectors and (2) the project’s ability to promote employment of trained workers in those sectors.
California (Miscellaneous, AB 2323, Referred to Assembly Committee, 3/17/2016)
This bill requires “electrical corporations” (including PG&E, SDG&E, SCE, BVES, and PacifiCorp) that offer time-of-use rates, critical peak pricing, real-time pricing, or peak time rebates for the charging of electric vehicles, as part of a program to encourage transportation electrification, to offer similar rates to low carbon fuel production facilities as well as public and private fueling stations dedicated to providing low carbon transportation fuels. Currently, PG&E, SDG&E, and SCE all offer such electric vehicle charging rates.
Oregon (HB 4055, HB 4068, Left in Committee at Adjournment, 3/10/16)
The 2016 Oregon Legislative Session adjourned Sine Die on March 6, 2016. Barring any special session, HB 4055 and HB 4068 will not be acted upon until the 2017 session, if at all.
Regulatory Highlights:
**COMMENT DEADLINE TODAY – MARCH 22, 2016**
California (Low Carbon Fuel Standards)
ARB Staff solicited stakeholder feedback during the March 8th LCFS workshop presentation on the Proposed Framework for the LCFS Monitoring and Verification Program.
With respect to fuel carbon intensities, Staff ask:
- What substantiating information is needed to confirm accuracy of user defined inputs?
- Should staff consider enhanced transparency of documentation (chain of custody of feedstock, fuel, co-products, etc.)?
- How to ensure international consistency?
- When should verifications occur?
With respect to fuel production volume, Staff also ask:
- What substantiating information is needed to confirm accuracy of reported fuel volumes?
- Is there a need for greater transparency of documentation (chain of custody)?
- Any additional considerations for imported fuels?
- How to ensure international consistency?
Responses should be sent to Ursula Lai, Lead Staffer for Verification, at ursula.lai@arb.ca.gov by COB onMarch 22, 2016.
The Air Resources Board held a hearing on March 8th to initiate a new LCFS rulemaking on multiple issues. Further detail and specific materials are available via the links included in the Public Notice:
Public Workshop to provide an update on the status of the pathway application processing, discuss changes to the Alternative Fuel Portal, and to provide guidance on LCFS reporting requirements. Staff will also solicit feedback on proposed new reports, graphs, and metrics designed to improve the transparency of LCFS program performance, and will present developments in the proposal to implement mandatory third-party pathway monitoring and verification within the program. The meeting will be held at the following time and location: DATE: Tuesday, March 8, 2016 TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. LOCATION: Sierra Hearing Room, Second Floor ADDRESS: Cal/EPA Headquarters Building 1001 “I” Street Sacramento, California 95814 · Meeting Notice and Agenda · Staff Presentations 1. Pathway Certification Updates Presentation and Handout 2. Reporting Updates 1. Reporting Presentation and Handout 2. Regulatory Guidance 16-01: Draft Guidance on LCFS Reporting – Substitute CIs for Certain Exports 3. Regulatory Guidance 16-02: Draft Guidance on LCFS Reporting – Clarification of Energy and Mass Density of Natural Gas 4. Regulatory Guidance 16-03: Draft Guidance on Exemption for Fuel Used in Interstate Locomotives 5. Regulatory Guidance 16-04: LCFS Electricity Program FAQs 6. Regulatory Guidance 16-05: LCFS Hydrogen Programs FAQs 7. Regulatory Guidance 16-06: LCFS Fixed Guideway System FAQs 8. Regulatory Guidance 16-07: LCFS for Transit Agencies 3. Dashboard Presentation and Handout 4. Proposed Framework for the LCFS Monitoring and Verification Program Presentation and Handout |
**WORKSHOP OPPORTUNITY – MARCH 30, 2016**
California (Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program, 15-ALT-01)
The California Energy Commission has announced that it will hold a Biofuels Program Workshop on March 30, 2016. Staff hope to establish a permanent, regular forum to plan and strategize California’s biofuel investments with this workshop.
Staff will discuss funding strategies and eligibility requirements, consider evaluation criteria, discuss emerging issues and opportunities, and respond to public comment and questions. Additionally, this workshop will be used to gather input regarding an upcoming biofuel production solicitation (anticipated in Q2 2016). Potential solicitation applicants are encouraged to attend.
The CEC has released a Biofuels Draft Solicitation Concepts document in preparation for this workshop. This document details the concepts and evaluation metrics for the next pilot-scale and commercial-scale advanced biofuels production facilities solicitation. According to the Draft, approximately $17 million will be available in the upcoming solicitation for new, low carbon production facilities and for expansions/modifications that expand existing facilities to increase production capacity. This document also includes a proposed schedule for solicitation activities.
Blake Elder | Clean Energy Assistant
belder@eq-research.com
(919) 825-3339
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