Hawaii Passes Clean Fuel Standards

On July 15, 2026, Hawaii became the 5^th state to enact a Clean Fuel Standard regulation.  The bill, SB 1120, aims to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels sold in the state by 10% below the 2019 baseline by 2035 and 50% below baseline by 2045. 

SB 1120 implements a new clean fuel standard in Hawaii on or before January 1, 2029.  This standard, which would function very similarly to the well-established California Low Carbon Fuels Standard (CARB LCFS), would allow fuel sold within Hawaii that has lower emissions than conventional gasoline and diesel fuel to generate credits for this fuel proportional to their emissions reduction.  Like other state programs, emissions will be calculated using a version of Argonne National Laboratory’s Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Technologies (GREET) model.  The rule also includes a cost containment mechanism and crediting opportunities for electric utilities and EV charging.

Similar standards are being considered in other states including Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.

At TRICORD, we have been monitoring the progression of these proposed programs and have been keeping up with the latest news.  Our renewables team has supported lifecycle assessment and application and ongoing compliance support for the following programs: 

California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (CARB LCFS) :

·   Canada Clean Fuel Regulations (ECCC CFR) 

·   U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard (EPA RFS) 

·   U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRS IRA)

·   Washington Clean Fuels Standard (WDOE CFS)

·   Oregon Clean Fuels Program (ODEQ CFP) 

·   New Mexico Clean Transportation Fuel Program (NMED CTFP)

If you are looking for help with lifecycle assessment, carbon footprint analysis, renewable fuels compliance or just want to better understand the renewable fuels landscape, please contact our renewable fuels team lead, Hannah Losey P.E., at Hannah.Losey@tricordconsulting.com.