SACRAMENTO - Air Resources Board staff today re-noticed the Clean Fuels Outlet regulation for consideration by the Board. While legislation to achieve this goal through the use of incentives is presently pending in Legislature, the measure will otherwise ensure the availability of clean alternative fuels necessary for zero emission vehicles, specifically those powered by hydrogen fuel cells.  

“We prefer to see an incentive based mechanism, such as that included in legislation now before the assembly and senate, ensure the supply of hydrogen for these vehicles,” said Air Resources Board Chairman Mary D. Nichols. “But we must achieve our air quality and greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals, and re-introducing the Clean Fuels Outlet regulation now simply provides a backstop in the event those measures don’t pass.”

The Advanced Clean Car program, approved by the Board last January, will drive a shift from gasoline powered vehicles to those powered by electricity and hydrogen beginning in 2017. The Clean Fuels Outlet regulation is part of this program, and is intended to make sure those fuels are readily available as those vehicles enter the California market in larger numbers. The Clean Fuels Outlet regulation requires the oil industry to support hydrogen fueling stations synchronized with arrival of those new vehicles.

The Advanced Clean Car program is one of a suite of greenhouse gas emissions reduction programs created under the Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32). The goal of AB 32 is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. The Advanced Clean Car program will address a large portion of emissions from the transportation sector, which is responsible for approximately 40 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in the state.

Read the Clean Fuels Outlet notice

Learn more about the Clean Fuels Outlet regulation

Learn more about the Advanced Clean Car regulations

Learn more about AB 32