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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | August 12, 2024 12:29 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Paul Takac |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Clean Fuels Standard for PA |
| I am developing and intend to introduce legislation to begin the process of establishing a Clean Fuels Standard (CFS) for Pennsylvania. A CFS is a fuel-neutral, budget-neutral, and market driven policy which can significantly reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector over time. Support is provided not only for electrification but also biofuels in order to reduce emissions from hard-to-electrify vehicle sectors. The policy’s support for biofuels as a transitional fuel source also creates a financial opportunity for Pennsylvania farmers and others, while benefiting the environment by reducing fugitive methane emissions and attracting much needed investment. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s 2022 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory Report states that the transportation sector accounts for 22% of the total GHG emissions in the Commonwealth. States that have already adopted a CFS policy have seen a majority of fossil-based diesel replaced by biodiesel and increased adoption of electric cars and renewable natural gas (RNG) powered trucks, including achieving GHG emissions targets ahead of schedule (California). A CFS sets a carbon intensity (CI) limit for fuel imported or distributed in the Commonwealth. This limit is gradually lowered over time. Providers of fuels that exceed the CI limit generate deficits which are retired through the purchase of credits generated by providers of fuels which are below the limit. The determination of credits and deficit allocations is achieved through a full “well to wheels” analysis which measures emissions throughout the entire chain of production and use. The passage of a CFS will aid the Commonwealth in reaching its electrification goals, provide an income opportunity for our farmers, and reduce transportation sector emissions without putting a strain on the state budget. I hope you will join me in this effort by co-sponsoring this critical piece of legislation. |