On March 10, Governor Brown issued an executive order that directed multiple state agencies to take action to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As part of this effort, the Governor directed DEQ and EQC to expand the Clean Fuels Program to increase the availability of low-carbon transportation fuels for Oregonians.

The Clean Fuels Program currently requires companies to reduce the average amount of greenhouse gas emissions per unit of fuel by 10% below 2015 levels by 2025. The executive order directs the program to reduce emissions by 20% by 2030 and 25% by 2035, the most aggressive goal in the country. DEQ will develop rules to implement the executive order requirement and present them to the Environmental Quality Commission for adoption.

The Clean Fuels Program is a key component of Oregon’s plan to reduce greenhouse gases including creating cleaner cars, using cleaner fuels and reducing the amount that Oregonians drive. In addition to reducing greenhouse gases, the program has other benefits including reductions in other air pollutants, improvements to public health and increased energy security.