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Clean Fuel Programs

Clean fuel programs along the West Coast aim to curb carbon pollution from transportation. California, Oregon, and British Columbia previously adopted clean fuel standards; Washington’s Clean Fuel Standard works in concert with state/provincial standards to achieve these shared goals.

On this page you can learn more about:

Washington’s Clean Fuel Standard

Washington’s Clean Fuel Standard works beside the Climate Commitment Act to target the largest source of emissions in Washington. The Clean Fuel Standard (final rule), administered by the WA Dept. of Ecology, will curb carbon pollution from transportation, which accounts for almost 45% of statewide GHG emissions. Read more on Ecology’s website.

During the 2025 Legislative session, the House of Representatives passed HB 1409 to bolster Washington’s effort to reduce transportation emissions and further invest in the transition to electric. HB 1409 will strengthen the current Clean Fuels Program (launched in 2023) with greater pollution reductions and higher reinvestments to support clean transportation.

The Clean Fuel Standard requires fuel suppliers to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels to 20% below 2017 levels by 2038. By requiring fuel suppliers to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels, the Clean Fuel Standard is projected to cut statewide GHG emissions by 4.3 million metric tons a year by 2038, and stimulate economic development in low carbon fuel production.

Fuel suppliers are achieving these reductions by

Clean Fuel Standard Fuel Supply Forecast

The WA Dept. of Commerce is responsible for developing a fuel supply forecast to project the availability of fuels necessary to comply with program requirements. Commerce contracted with Berkeley Research Group to perform the forecast. A summary of these findings is provided on the Public Meeting on Clean Fuels Forecast page

Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program

Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program is addressing the state’s contribution to global climate change by reducing GHG emissions from Oregon’s transportation fuels. The program is on track to achieve a 20% GHG reduction by 2030 (see the Clean Fuels Program Overview). Since the program began in 2016, its progress can be summarized in three outcomes:

  • Companies producing biofuels are making those fuels more cleanly and delivering them in greater volumes.
  • The transition to biofuels and electricity is reducing tailpipe pollution and improving public health of Oregonians.
  • The transition away from fossil fuels has spurred innovation and investments without impacting the price at the pump.

Joint Office of Energy and Transportation

The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation was created through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to facilitate collaboration between the U.S. Dept. of Energy and the U.S. Dept. of Transportation by aligning resources and expertise across the two departments. The Joint Office provides targeted Technical Assistance for states and communities, tribal nations, school districts, and transit agencies deploying EV charging networks, zero-emission fueling infrastructure, and zero-emission transit and school buses.