Gov. Kathy Hochul’s newly issued $1 billion investment in climate initiatives is a welcome step forward, but work remains to be done. For New York to reach its ambitious climate goals and protect public health, the Legislature must act now by passing a Clean Fuel Standard (CFS).
New York’s groundbreaking climate law aims for bold goals: cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 and achieving 100% clean electricity by 2040. But right now, we’re not on track. Recent federal setbacks — like the EPA’s criticism of the law and the cancellation of a key offshore wind project — show how vulnerable progress can be. New York needs strategies it can control. A Clean Fuel Standard is one of them.
What Is a Clean Fuel Standard — And Why Does It Matter?
A Clean Fuel Standard is a market-based policy that encourages the use of low-carbon fuels for transportation by charging polluters. Fuel manufacturers that make high emissions must buy credits from manufacturers of clean alternatives, such as:
- Renewable diesel made from vegetable oils
- Renewable natural gas (RNG) made from organic waste
- Electricity for vehicle charging
With time, emissions ceilings become lower, forcing the system to clean up. The outcome? Polluters pay — not taxpayers.
The model works. California, where the initial Low Carbon Fuel Standard went into effect in 2011, has already replaced over 31 billion gallons of petroleum fuel. The state has reduced the carbon intensity of its transportation infrastructure by over 15% — ahead of timeline. Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, and Canada have emulated this template. Eleven additional states in the United States are actively considering such policies. New York is taking a study to determine feasibility, but the facts are clear: CFS works.
New York’s Transportation Problem
Transportation is the second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in New York — and a top contributor to air pollution. Diesel fumes, especially from old heavy-duty trucks, produce smog, acid rain, and even serious illness. At least 3,000 New Yorkers die each year from diesel pollution.
Most of these dirty trucks were manufactured prior to 2013 and are still operating today. A Clean Fuel Standard would accelerate their phase-out by encouraging cleaner alternatives right away.
Not Just EVs: Several Solutions Required
A recent report by Energy Vision examined alternatives to conventional diesel trucks, such as:
- Electric trucks
- Renewable diesel trucks
- RNG-powered compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks
Electric trucks (EVs) are a good option for light- and medium-duty trucks. But not the heavy-duty trucks (Class 7 and 8). They cost approximately $250,000 more than diesel equivalents, have limited range, have huge batteries that take up space in the cargo area, and require high-power charging stations that do not yet exist in New York.
Just because EVs have zero tailpipe emissions, their overall emissions are dependent on electricity sources — and nearly half of the electricity in New York State continues to come from fossil fuels.
New York’s Advanced Clean Trucks regulation mandates producers to begin selling additional zero-emission trucks this year, up to 100% by 2045. The noble intention aside, the regulation heavily leans toward EVs — considering the current limitations. State Senator Jeremy Cooney introduced a bill to postpone the regulation’s implementation, citing infrastructure challenges while reasserting commitment to the state’s climate goals.
Why RNG Makes Sense Now
We can’t wait. Already, there are 90,000 RNG-powered trucks on the road in America, and they are a cleaner, cheaper, and available solution.
Trucks fueled by renewable natural gas offer 88% of the clean air value of electric trucks, typically at lower costs. RNG is created from methane extracted from manure or food waste — methane that would otherwise go into the air and contribute to global warming. In fact, RNG made from waste has the lowest lifecycle emissions of any transportation fuel or battery technology available today.
A Clean Fuel Standard would promote uptake of RNG in New York and generate revenue for building EV charging infrastructure — a win for incumbent and next-generation technologies both. CFS and EV incentives are not exclusive — they’re complementary.
A Call to Action
As deadlines for action on the climate draw near, we can no longer hold out for expensive, time-consuming solutions. As State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal recently reminded us,
“We cannot wait any longer to have a clean fuel policy in New York State.”
The Legislature this session can send to the governor a tried-and-true, affordable policy that puts New York’s climate goal back in reach.
Time is of the essence. Pass the Clean Fuel Standard.
