Natural Gas Vehicle Supporters Oppose Changes to Low Carbon Fuel Standards

November 25th, 2014 by Fiedler Group

Natural gas vehicle advocates have voiced opposition to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) following the agency’s announcement that it is considering significant changes to its low carbon fuel standards, impacting the growth and adoption of the natural gas vehicle (NGV) market.

CARB only released details about the proposed changes in October, so the NGV sector is requesting a slow-down of the process for a more thorough review of the data.

From the natural gas industry’s point of view, the proposed changes will raise the Carbon Intensity (CI) score for natural gas vehicles, thereby lowering the number of credits earned by natural gas under the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) — damaging the NGV industry’s ability to secure grants, incentives, and participate in the cap-and-trade program for GHG emissions.

Under the newly proposed GREET 2.0 model, NGVs reportedly are viewed poorly due to the emissions of unburned methane seeping from the vehicle’s tailpipe. Meanwhile, NGV proponents are challenging the accuracy of this data, alleging CARB used obsolete information in its findings.

Yet, while California is moving to reduce the incentives currently in place for natural gas vehicle usage, other states like Colorado are welcoming NGVs with $3.9 million to fund the development of eight compressed natural gas fueling stations, along with a second round of project bids, due next year.

The same progress can be seen in Salt Lake City’s $443,000 state energy grant for a highly-visible CNG fueling facility, Pennsylvania’s ongoing incentive program for NGVs, and the first public access, 24/7 CNG station in Texas.

To learn more about Fiedler Group’s experience with alternative fuels and natural gas fuel facilities, please contact us today.