Over the years, states on the West Coast have been enacting low carbon fuel standards (LCFS). In early March, New Mexico joined California, Oregon, and Washington as the fourth state to establish LCFSs as the states work to reduce to carbon intensity of transportation.
With the discussion on clean fuel standards ramping up across the country, Illinois lawmakers have been working to pass their version of the bill. Big River Resources President and CEO David Zimmerman has worked with leaders in shaping this bill through involvement with the Illinois Renewable Fuels Association. He says the bill has the potential to be good for Illinois if done correctly.
“What I’m seeing in the Illinois Bill versus some of the California or West Coast bills, this one has been crafted to be ag-centric,” says Zimmerman. “Where the producer of corn ultimately that can end up in the fuel stream is being discussed in this bill, and how can we make sure that that farmer who adopts Climate Smart ag initiatives to lower his carbon index, would lower the carbon index of the ethanol going into the fuel stream. There have been some things discussed and done to make sure that that farmer can receive the benefit from that.”
The proposed legislation aims to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation by 20 percent by 2038.
