Green Energy Solutions Unleashed Through New Partnership

Washington, D.C. (November 21, 2019) – Today, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization and the Low Carbon Fuels Coalition (LCFC) announced a new joint initiative to drive adoption of low carbon fuel policies in states. Both groups will work together to advance policies that will support green energy breakthroughs to decarbonize transportation—a sector that leads all others in greenhouse gas emissions.

The initiative will combine BIO’s ongoing work in states and vast membership of companies developing sustainable fuels for both road and air transport with LCFC’s expertise in establishing state level market-based low carbon fuel policies. The LCFC is a technology neutral trade association dedicated to the support and expansion of market-based low carbon fuel policies.

“State low carbon fuel policies are a proven driver in decarbonizing transportation,” said Stephanie Batchelor, vice president of BIO’s industrial and environmental section. ”If done right, these policies will incentivize biofuel producers to develop new low carbon fuels using sustainable sources like agricultural residues, industrial waste and even algae.”

The new joint initiative will bring together the membership for both organizations, which will strengthen the reach and resources for advocacy efforts. Currently, nine states have active bills or are considering legislation to establish standards supporting low carbon fuels, including Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, South Dakota, and Washington. The two groups will also collaborate to explain and demonstrate the value and importance of low carbon fuel policies, especially at events such as the Global Climate Action Summit.

“Since implementing its low carbon fuel standard in 2011, California has prevented over 50 million tons of carbon pollution from being emitted on its roadways,” said Graham Noyes, co-founder and Executive Director of the Low Carbon Fuels Coalition. “We know that states across the country—from Washington to Minnesota to New York—are looking at policies to decarbonize and diversify their state’s transportation sectors, and this new joint initiative will work within those states to help lawmakers realize the potential of low carbon fuel policies.”

The development and adoption of sustainable fuels has benefits beyond lowering greenhouse gas emissions. According to the National Resources Defense Council, California’s low carbon fuel standard, together with statewide carbon pollution limits, has helped save the state $1.6 billion in health-related impacts from air pollution to date. The state’s program has also increased the clean fuels market by $2.8 billion with the majority of the economic gain taking place in rural communities where feedstocks are grown, and biofuel is produced.

For more information about the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, visit bio.org.

For more information on the Low Carbon Fuels Coalition, visit lcfcoalition.com.