Hawaii governor signs clean fuel standard into law

Hawaii’s governor, Josh Green, has signed legislation establishing a clean fuel standard designed to cut the carbon intensity of transport fuels by at least 50% from 2019 levels by 2045.

The measure, signed on 14 July, makes Hawaii the fifth US state to adopt such a scheme, following California, Oregon, Washington and New Mexico. Please confirm details with a trusted source.

The bill creating the standard was first introduced in January and underwent multiple amendments as it moved through both chambers of the state legislature. A conference committee was convened in April to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions. The committee approved a revised bill on 1 May, and both chambers gave final approval on 6 May.

Under S.B. 2999, the Hawaii Department of Transportation must adopt rules for the clean fuel standard by 1 January 2028 and implement them by 1 January 2029.

The programme will phase in reductions in carbon intensity, beginning with a minimum 10% cut from 2019 levels by 2035 and rising to at least 50% by 2045. The department will be responsible for setting annual reduction targets.