SOURCE: City of Portland
December 15, 2022
BY Erin Voegele
The Portland City Council on Dec. 8 adopted a new policy that aims to reduce carbon emissions from diesel-fueled transportation by phasing in requirements for the use of renewable fuels, such as biodiesel and renewable diesel.
The policy aims to achieve a 99 percent renewable blend for all diesel sales in Portland by May 15, 2030. The requirement will phase-in, with an initial 50 percent renewable blend requirement beginning on May. 15, 2025.
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Under the new policy, the Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability will convene a technical advisory committee (TAC) of renewable fuel producers, renewable fuel suppliers, and economists to advise the director of BPS on implementation of the program. The TAC will issue a reports to the BPS director regarding renewable fuel market conditions, including an assessment of supply availability and costs. These reports are to be completed in advance of the May 15, 2025, and May 15, 2030, deadlines.
“Climate change is not stopping or even slowing — and our opportunity to reduce carbon emissions is fast closing. Burning diesel fuel is Portland’s fourth-largest source of carbon emissions,” said Portland City Commissioner Carmen Rubio. “Together, we can strengthen the local economy while improving air quality, boosting health outcomes, and moving us closer to energy independence.”
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The U.S. House of Representatives early on May 22 narrowly passed a reconciliation bill that includes provisions updating and extending the 45Z clean fuel production tax credit. The bill, H.R. 1, will now be considered by the U.S. Senate.
U.S. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin on May 21 stressed the agency is working “as fast as humanly possible” to finalize a rulemaking setting 2026 RFS RVOs during a hearing held by the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Chevron U.S.A. Inc. on May 15 filed a notice with the Iowa Workforce Development announcing plans to layoff 70 employees at its Ames, Iowa, location by June 18. The company’s Chevron REG subsidiary is headquartered in Ames.
Clean Fuels Alliance America on May 22 delivered a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, urging him to set the 2026 RFS biomass-based diesel volume at no less than 5.25 billion gallons and allow continued growth in the 2027 volumes.
Luxury North Dakota FBO, Overland Aviation—together with leading independent fuel supplier, Avfuel Corp.— on May 19 announced it accepted a 8,000-gallon delivery of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on May 12.