California used ‘record’ amount of biofuels in 2016

Cars and trucks used record amounts of biofuels in California in 2016, according to new figures. A total of 1.5 billion gallons were used, avoiding 14 million metric tons of carbon dioxide being emitted into the atmosphere. The reductions are a result of California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, which aims to reduce the carbon intensity of fuels in the state.

The statistics have been released in the 2016 Greenhouse Gas Emissions inventory. The same report shows that greenhouse gas pollution in California has fallen below 1990 levels for the first time since 2004, the year that emissions peaked in the Golden State.

According to an announcement from the California Air Resources Board, the pollutant reductions are roughly equal to taking 12 million cars off the road or saving 6 billion gallons of gasoline a year.

 “California set the toughest emissions targets in the nation, tracked progress and delivered results,” said Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.

“The next step is for California to cut emissions below 1990 levels by 2030 – a heroic and very ambitious goal.”

California has some of the most ambitious emissions goals in North America. Under Assembly Bill 32 passed in 2006, the state must reduce its emissions to 1990 levels (431 million metric tons) by 2020.  Senate Bill 32, signed in 2016, requires the state to go even further and cut emissions 40% below 1990 levels by 2030.

An indepth article on the benefits and impact of the LCFS is available in the most recent edition of Biofuels International. Sign up for a free copy here.