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Environmental groups and other interests on Tuesday called for the state to require oil refineries and fuel blenders to reduce the overall carbon content of vehicle fuels sold in the state.
The “low carbon fuel standard” would require fuel providers to meet a declining standard for greenhouse gas emissions – a move that backers said would encourage the development of the most promising fuel sources, such as cellulosic ethanol and electricity for electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
The Ecology Center and Environment Michigan released a report that in part calls for the standard to be the centerpiece of Michigan’s alternative transportation fuels policy, providing ecological and economic development benefits.
The report said the standard would give fuel providers flexibility in deciding how to reduce global warming emissions through their fuel mixes. By establishing a beginning level of a 10 percent reduction by 2020 – a standard adopted by California – the state would have a “market-driven approach that encourages low-carbon transportation fuels without picking winners and losers,” the report said.
A low-carbon fuel strategy for renewable fuels was one of the recommendations that the Michigan Renewable Fuels Commission, established by Gov. Jennifer Granholm, made in 2007.
“Michigan has already provided significant support to help build a Michigan-based advanced battery and biofuels industry. But policies like a low-carbon fuel standard are now needed to stimulate the demand that will ensure a growing demand for our products,” said report co-author Charles Griffith, in a news release. He is director of clean vehicles and fuels at the Ecology Center.
State Rep. Lee Gonzalez, D-Flint, plans to introduce legislation for the low-carbon standard.
