IT IS TIME FOR AMERICA TO DRIVE CLEAN.

IT’S TIME FOR A CLEAN FUEL STANDARD.

A light blue line drawing of a large freight truck.

Achieving energy independence and net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions requires a wholesale transformation of the U.S. transportation sector.

It’s no small job.

27%

Of total U.S. GHG in 2020 was a result of transportation emissions from cars, trucks, ships, and planes that move people and goods around the world.

Shrinking transportation’s carbon footprint requires a clear and consistent national fuels policy that is technology-neutral and relies on American ingenuity and innovation to create opportunities for new players and technologies. A clean fuel standard is the answer.

There isn’t time to waste.

The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concluded in early 2022 that the atmosphere could warm more than 3 degrees Celsius by 2100 – more than twice the limit that science shows is necessary for preventing the most dangerous effects of climate change.

A light blue line drawing of a city bus.

The United States imported roughly 8.5 million barrels of crude oil per day in 2021 — despite producing more domestic energy than we use.

It’s time for the US to become energy independent once and for all.

A national Clean Fuels Standard will harness American ingenuity and spur innovation that will open markets to new fuel choices and technologies produced right here at home.

The United States has been trying to wean itself off of foreign oil for half a century but remains a net crude importer – despite leading the world in oil production. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has served as a reminder of how volatile global energy markets are – hitting Americans squarely in their pocketbooks.

What is a clean fuel Standard?

A national Clean Fuel Standard (CFS) would set a schedule for gradually reducing the carbon within transportation fuel over time to decarbonize the entire transportation sector. Because a CFS is technology-neutral, it would level the playing field and open markets for new clean energy choices that can be used in transport applications like cars, trucks, planes, and ships.

A well-designed CFS will:

Spur innovation in American technology

Create domestic jobs and sustainable economic growth

Help to promote cleaner air, and reduce pollution in the environment

Insulate Americans from the price shocks of geopolitical events like the war in Ukraine

Unleash a renaissance of clean, green fuel sources

Increase U.S. energy independence and national security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil

Improve health in marginalized communities by helping fund programs that improve access to public transit, electric and other clean vehicles, and low-carbon mobility options

Elevate a policy proven at the state level to the federal level and bring uniformity to the patchwork of legislation governing our national fuel policy

What is the DriveClean Initiative?

The DriveClean Initiative has come together to meet this challenge. We are a diverse group of stakeholders that hail from across the political, geographical, and economic spectrum.

We represent

  • agriculture

  • environmental/non-governmental organizations

  • utilities

  • renewable fuel producers

  • technology firms

  • EV charging companies

  • truck and bus manufacturers

We are committed to a national fuels policy that creates jobs and spreads economic growth across the nation, while allowing our children to breathe easier and setting our world on a path to a decarbonized economy. We believe that a CFS will help smooth the transition to net-zero emissions by 2050.

It’s time for Congress to pass a Clean Fuel Standard.

WHO WE ARE

The DriveClean Initiative ​​represents a wide array of stakeholders deeply invested in reducing emissions from transportation fuels. We represent automakers, farmers, utilities, environmentalists, science-based organizations, renewable fuel producers, technology companies, electric vehicle charging companies, truck and bus manufacturers, emissions controls makers, non-profit clean energy organizations, and more.  

This initiative is facilitated by AJW and a network of entities and initiatives committed to scaling the technologies needed to achieve a path to net-zero emissions by 2050. Drive Clean is supported, in part, by AJW Climate Innovation Projects, a 501(c)3 organization.

Supporters of this effort include:

Advanced Engine Systems Institute logo

Frequently Asked Questions

The transportation sector and the national economy cannot achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 without decarbonizing transportation fuels. A broad-based group of interests could help create demand for and support a national clean fuels policy, consistent with the following principles:

Statement of Principles

Transportation fuels must be net-zero by 2050

Transportation fuels must be decarbonized in sufficient time to achieve national net-zero emissions in the transportation sector not later than 2050.

COMPLEMENTS EXISTING or future state cfs PROGRAMS

Fuels decarbonization policy should be coordinated and not conflict with other greenhouse gas and pollution-reduction policies and goals. Such policies should work together in an efficient and synergistic way.

tECHNOLOGY AND FUEL NEUTRAL

A life-cycle emissions performance-based approach that is technology- and fuel-neutral is essential to achieve fuels decarbonization and promote innovation and investment across all potential clean fuel types including electricity, hydrogen, biofuels and others.

FOCUSED ON GROWING THE LOW-CARBON FUELS MARKET

Achieving the decarbonization goal and maximizing consumers’ benefits can be most effectively accomplished by steadily growing market opportunities for low-carbon fuels with transparency, scale, and fair competition. Any such markets or programs must include safeguards and incentives to protect and enhance environmental integrity, including biodiversity, and to promote job creation and equitable and sustainable economic growth.

PROVIDE LONG TERM MARKET SIGNALS

Any legislative or regulatory program should start as soon as possible and provide clear long-term market signals for investors, market participants, technology innovators, and feedstock suppliers. Such policy or program should be implemented efficiently and transparently, and directed with unambiguous language and intent.

STATES CAN IMPLEMENT THEIR OWN CFS

States or regions may implement clean fuels programs that are designed to steadily decarbonize transportation fuels. States or regions may increase the stringency of their program's decarbonization requirements if they have the technical capacity to manage the program.

FEDERAL SUPPORT TO ENSURE THE BEST SCIENCE AND EXPAND R&D

The federal government and the states can and should make a constructive and sustained effort to a) ensure the best possible science is being used to support the value of fuels decarbonization, including with respect to life cycle analysis and applicable verification and reporting, and, b) expand the research, development and deployment of low and zero carbon fuels technologies and practices, including demonstration projects and technical assistance.

Resources

DriveClean Initiative’s Letter to Senate EPW Committee in Support of the 2023 Low Carbon Fuel Standard Hearing

DriveClean Initiative’s Letter of Support of Federal CFS to Senate Environment and Public Works 2022

FACT SHEET: Why America Needs a National Clean Fuel Standard Now

Letters of Support of Federal CFS to Congressional Delegations, CA, IL, NM, NY, OR, WA

DriveClean Letter to the Hill - April 2023

Consumer Report’s Letter to Senate EPW Committee in Support of the 2023 Low Carbon Fuel Standard Hearing

Consumer Report’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard Principles

Bates White Low Carbon Fuels Standards Market Impacts and Evidence for Retail Fuel Price Effects

The International Council on Clean Transportation: Opportunities and Risks for a National LCFS

National Academies Report: Current Methods for Life Cycle Analyses of Low-Carbon Transportation Fuels in the U.S.

AJW 2050 Net Zero Liquid Fuels PowerPoint

Harvard Law State Resource Guide: Drafting a Clean Fuel Standard to Manage Legal Risks

Great Plains Institute Economic Benefits of Clean Fuels Policy in Minnesota and Iowa

Washington State Independent Cost-Benefit Study of Clean Fuel Standard Law

Biden Administration Long-Term Strategy of the U.S. : Pathways to Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050

DriveClean Statement of Principles

Oregon Clean Fuels Program 2022 Review

Clean Fuels NY Coalition Website and Resource Links

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Clean Fuels Program Website

California Air Resources Board: Low Carbon Fuel Standard Data Dashboard

Michigan Clean Fuel Standard Coalition Website

Fill It Up Clean, New Jersey - Clean Fuels Website

Hele Clean, Hawaii - Clean Fuels Website

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