Administered by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) is a market-based regulatory program designed to decrease the carbon intensity (CI) of California’s transportation fuel pool by at least 20% by 2030 and up to 30% by 2045.
Credit & Deficit Generation Mechanics
Fuels with a Carbon Intensity (CI) score below CARB’s annual compliance benchmark generate marketable LCFS credits, while fuels with a CI above the benchmark generate compliance deficits. Each credit represents one metric ton of lifecycle greenhouse gas (CO₂e) reduction.
1. CA-GREET 3.0 Well-to-Wheels Lifecycle Modeling
CI scores are quantified in grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule (gCO₂e/MJ) using the California Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation (CA-GREET 3.0) model:
- Conventional Diesel Benchmark: ~100.5 gCO₂e/MJ.
- Renewable Diesel (from tallow/used cooking oil): 20 to 45 gCO₂e/MJ.
- Dairy Manure Renewable Natural Gas (RNG): Highly negative CI scores ranging from -150 to -400 gCO₂e/MJ due to avoided methane emissions from open lagoons.
Quantify Well-to-Wheels Fuel Emissions
Calculate lifecycle carbon intensity and emission reductions across alternative clean fuel pathways.
2. Statutory Citations & Rulemaking Documents
- California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 17, §§ 95480-95503 (Low Carbon Fuel Standard).
- California Air Resources Board (CARB): CA-GREET 3.0 Model and Documentation.
CARBON TRADING & ALTERNATIVE FUELS:
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