The Washington Senate on April 15 voted 25 to 23 in favor of legislation that aims to update the state’s Clean Fuels Standard, setting more ambitious carbon reduction goals that would require a 45% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2038. 

The bill, HB 1409, was introduced in January. The Washington House passed a version of the bill on March 10 by a vote of 54 to 41. The Senate passed an amended version of the legislation April 15. 

Washington’s CFS was established in 2021 and entered into force on Jan. 1, 2023. The CFS currently requires transportation fuel supplied within the state to achieve a GHG reduction of 20% by 2034, when compared to a 2017 baseline. HB 1409 aims to boost the GHG reduction requirement to 45% by Jan. 1, 2028.

The increased GHG reduction requirements would be phased in, starting with an additional 5% reduction required for 2026, and an additional 4% reduction for 2027, and an additional 3% to 4% reduction each year for 2028 to 2038, as determined by Washington Department of Ecology. 

The legislation also gives the Washington Department of Ecology the option to adjust the carbon intensity (CI) standard of the CFS to up to 55% by Jan. 1, 2038, if certain conditions are met. 

In addition, the bill gives the department the authority to reduce the annual GHG reduction requirements due to fuel supply issues or other factors, and to cap the CI reduction requirement at 20% in 2030 and later years if it is unable to demonstrate that at least one new or expanded biofuel production facility has received a siting, operating or environmental permit after Jan. 1, 2025.

Additional information, including a full copy of the bill, is available on the Washington State Legislature website.