The Oregon Clean Fuels Program is a Low Carbon Fuel Standard Program designed to reduce the carbon intensity of Oregon's transportation fuel pool and encourage the production of those fuels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and decreasing petroleum dependence in the transportation sector. The LCFS standards are expressed in terms of carbon intensity of gasoline and diesel fuel and their respective substitutes. The CFP uses an Oregon version of the Argonne National Laboratory's Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Technologies model, OR-GREET, to calculate CIs. CIs are reported in grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule (CO2e/MJ).
The program is based on the principle that each fuel has "life cycle" greenhouse gas emissions, including CO2, CH4, N2O, and other GHG contributors. This life cycle assessment examines the GHG emissions associated with a given fuel's production, transportation, and use. The life cycle assessment includes direct emissions associated with producing, transporting, and using the fuels and significant indirect effects on GHG emissions, such as changes in land use for some biofuels.
Carbon Intensity Values
The Clean Fuels Program
uses an Oregon version of the Argonne National Laboratory's Greenhouse Gases,
Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Technologies model, OR-GREET, which
calculates greenhouse gas emissions associated with the lifecycle of
transportation fuels used in Oregon. The lifecycle approach includes the direct
emissions associated with producing, transporting, and using the fuels and
significant indirect effects on GHG emissions, such as changes in land use for
some biofuels.
A registered fuel producer can obtain a certified carbon intensity under the CFP in four ways as outlined in OAR 340-253-0450:
- Apply to the Oregon CFP using an already certified California Air Resources Board fuel pathway and CI as outlined in OAR 340-253-0450(2).
- Apply for a CI using the Tier 1 or Tier 2 fuel pathway application process outlined in OAR 340-253-0450(3).
- If your fuel production facility has been operating commercially for at least 90 days but less than 24 months, you can request a provisional CI as outlined in OAR 340-253-0450(6).
- Fuels that do not have a certified CI can be assigned a Temporary Fuel Pathway Code, which can be found in Table 9 under OAR 340-253-8010 or provided by the DEQ as outlined in OAR 340-253-0450(11).
New Tier 2 pathways
New Tier 2 fuel pathways are modeled using the
OR-GREET 3.0 model. Fuel producers and reporting parties use Tier 2 fuel
pathway applications when the OR-GREET model is used to calculate the proposed
CI value(s). Any registered fuel producer can request a new Tier 2 fuel pathway. Check back for additional information on requests and approvals as they become available.
New temporary pathways
Temporary pathways are used by fuel producers and reporting parties when an approved provisional or full fuel pathway certified by DEQ does not exist. These pathways are used for a maximum of two quarters. There is a list of approved temporary fuel pathways in Table 9 of OAR 340-253-8010. Any registered party, including reporting entities, can request that we develop a new temporary pathway and the table below summarizes those requests and approvals.
Energy Economy Ratio and EER-adjusted carbon intensity applications
Energy Economy Ratio and EER-Adjusted carbon intensity applications. EERs are used to account for the difference in efficiencies
between vehicle technologies. There is a list of approved EERs in Table 7 of OAR 340-253-8010. Vehicle owners or operators of
electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles that are not covered by an approved EER in Table 7 may apply for one through a Tier 2
application under OAR 340-253-0460. The table below summarizes those applications and approvals.