DEQ seeks input on next phase of ‘clean fuels’ rules
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality said Friday it is seeking public comment through Friday, November 7 on proposed rules that would lay out the next phase of Oregon’s Clean Fuels program.
The program, approved by the Oregon Legislature in 2009, seeks to cut greenhouse gases by lowering the carbon content in Oregon transportation fuels.
The proposed rules are available to review on DEQ’s rulemaking webpage at:
http://www.oregon.gov/deq/RulesandRegulations/Pages/2014/CFPPh2.aspx
The proposed Clean Fuels Phase 2 rules would:
• Establish clean fuel standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Oregon’s transportation fuels by 10 percent over a 10-year period
• Require importers of transportation fuels to reduce the average carbon intensity of fuels they provide in Oregon to meet the annual clean fuel standards
• Modify the definition of a fuel importer to be the owner of the fuel when it crosses into Oregon
• Allow providers of clean fuels to generate and sell clean fuel credits for the fuels they provide in Oregon
• Establish fuel supply and fuel price deferrals to contain the Clean Fuels Program’s costs
• Allow for periodic program reviews
DEQ will hold a public hearing on the rule proposal beginning at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6 at the Tiffany Center, 1410 SW Morrison St., in Portland.
The comment deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, November 7. Persons interested in commenting on the proposed rules may send comments by:
• Email at Comment-CFPPPh2@DEQ.state.or.us Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
811 SW Sixth Avenue, Portland, OR 97204 | Tel/503-229-5696
• Fax to 503-229-5675, Attn: Cory-Ann Wind
• Mail to Oregon DEQ, Attn: Cory-Ann Wind, 811 SW Sixth Ave., Portland, OR 97204-1390
• Attending the Nov. 6 hearing (verbal and written comments accepted)
After receiving, reviewing and responding to comments, DEQ may modify the proposed rule. It will present a final rule proposal to the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission at the commission’s Jan. 7-8, 2015 meeting in Portland.
Gov. John Kitzhaber directed DEQ in February to implement this next phase of the Clean Fuels Program. DEQ already has implemented the program’s first phase, which has entailed data collection from fuel importers and producers.
To develop the current proposed rules, DEQ convened an advisory committee made up of providers of petroleum fuels, biofuels, natural gas, biomethane, propane, electricity; fuel users; local governments and non-governmental organizations. The group met three times earlier this year and provided input that DEQ used to draft its proposed Clean Fuels Phase 2 rules.
Currently, the program has a statutorily required sunset date of Dec. 31, 2015. The 2015 Legislature will consider whether or not to lift the sunset date so the Clean Fuels Program can be fully implemented beyond 2015.
For more information about Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program, please go to DEQ’s website at: http://www.deq.state.or.us/aq/cleanFuel/index.htm.
