Senate committee hears bill to strengthen Washington clean fuels standard, raise 2038 carbon‑intensity target

Representative Fitzgibbon, sponsor of House Bill 1409, told the Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee that the bill would strengthen Washington’s Clean Fuels Program and create a more tailored enforcement approach.

"With this bill, create a more tailored approach, based on the size of the violation, penalties that are tailored to the that that I think are more appropriate for the kinds of violations that we would be likely to see in this program," Representative Fitzgibbon said.

The bill would require the Department of Ecology to reduce the carbon intensity of regulated transportation fuels to 45% below 2017 levels by 2038 and would allow Ecology, subject to conditions, to set a 55% reduction by 2038. Ecology would make intermediate target adjustments beginning in 2026; the bill also limits increases until at least one new or expanded in‑state biofuel facility has received an applicable permit. The bill removes certain JLARC and…