RNG Coalition Urges Michigan Senate to Hold Clean Fuel Standard Hearing

(Renewable Natural Gas Coalition/Biobased Diesel Daily) The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas urged Michigan lawmakers Feb. 8 to conduct a hearing on Senate Bill 275 as an important step toward realizing Michigan’s long-term climate goals.

SB 275, a critical Clean Fuel Standard legislation, would address greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions in Michigan’s transportation sector, a significant contributor to the state’s carbon footprint.

The proven success of CFS programs in U.S. states like California, where consumption of petroleum-based diesel has plummeted by over 50 percent within just a few years, underscores the need for a similar program in Michigan.

Dana Adams, the RNG Coalition’s legislative policy manager, outlined the need for an SB 275 hearing in a letter sent to Sean McCann, chairman of the Michigan Senate energy committee.

“While last year’s Clean Energy Package addresses long-term emissions, it does not go far enough to address near- and medium-term GHG emissions,” Adams writes in the letter. “The transportation sector is one of the largest GHG contributors in Michigan and addressing this emissions source is imperative if we hope to make meaningful near-term GHG reductions.”

A CFS would uniquely benefit Michigan, one of North America’s most vital agricultural regions.

CFS policy as proposed by SB 275 will drive investment in Michigan farmers and rural communities by creating a local market for ethanol, biodiesel and renewable natural gas, all of which can be produced from Michigan farms and waste sites.

These fuels will simultaneously reduce transportation emissions and allow Michigan rural communities to sustainably participate in the energy transition.

By enacting a CFS, Michigan would join the vanguard of North American clean-transportation leaders.

Minnesota, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico and Hawaii are among states actively considering implementing their own version of a CFS in early 2024, likely due to the emissions reductions achieved through similar programs established in California, Oregon, Washington state and Canada in recent years.

More states are likely to follow, as policymakers interested in defossilizing society recognize that biobased fuels can support the transition to lower- and zero-emissions modes of transportation, including electric options.

There has never been a more promising time for Michigan to take part in this clean-fuel transition, the RNG Coalition stated.

The coalition called on Michigan’s Senate to heed this call for common-sense energy policy.

Michigan has already moved boldly to declare itself as a climate leader with its long-term emissions reduction goals, and “now is the time to continue that leadership by convening a hearing that allows lawmakers to move forward on SB 275,” the RNG Coalition stated.

Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas is the non-profit association providing leadership, public policy advocacy and education for the sustainable development, deployment, and utilization of renewable natural gas. Membership is comprised of 380+ companies committed to supporting RNG Coalition’s mission and Sustainable Methane Abatement & Recycling Timeline (SMART). RNG Coalition represents industry, including leading companies, municipalities, ports and airports, colleges, and universities throughout the United States and Canada. Find out more at: www.rngcoalition.com. READ MORE

Excerpt from Planet Detroit: Michigan legislation to establish a clean fuels standard is drawing heat from environmental groups who say it encourages polluting fuel sources like biogas from factory farms and ethanol while further entrenching fossil fuel interests.

The bill, SB 275, would create a carbon market where producers or importers of biofuels, charging stations or providers of electricity that is used as transportation fuel can receive credits that can be sold to high emitting industries.

Environmental groups like the Michigan Sierra Club and the Environmental Law and Policy Center oppose the bill, arguing it would do little to reduce emissions. Instead, they said, it would greenwash oil and natural gas. Biofuels generally need to be mixed with oil and gas to be usable.

Meanwhile, businesses and other groups say the clean fuels standard would benefit the energy transition by delivering credits needed to invest in electric charging stations and encourage the adoption of electric fleet vehicles. READ MORE