Designing a Bipartisan Federal Clean Fuel Standard: Roundtable Takeaways

A low-carbon fuels standard (LCFS) is a policy mechanism for reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the transportation sector, which currently operates almost exclusively on carbon-intensive, fossil-fuel-based liquid fuels. An LCFS obliges fuel producers to meet carbon intensity targets, either by reducing the carbon content of the fuels they sell or by purchasing credits from other producers of low-carbon fuels. In February 2023, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held a hearing to consider the development of a national clean fuels policy, such as a federal LCFS. Meanwhile, a separate multi-stakeholder initiative, Drive Clean, has been leading a broader public education effort on policies for promoting low-carbon fuel.

In this context, the Bipartisan Policy Center and Breakthrough Energy convened a stakeholder roundtable on October 31st, 2023, that included diverse participants from key industries, including representatives from biofuels companies, oil companies, and electric vehicle manufacturers, along with policy leaders, academics, and environmental advocates. The goal of the roundtable was to explore the design features of a national-level LCFS that would advance America’s economic and climate objectives and could attract bipartisan support. Explore the issue brief to read our key takeaways.