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North AmericaPolicy profile

United States

Mandated

Tracked mandates

3

Active obligations

Policy targets

7

Published markers

Official sources

4

Government records

Mandate register

Requirements, timelines & compliance

Each obligation is tied to its administering authority and primary published source.

Program
Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2)
Ethanol blend
E10 baseline, E15 seasonal expansion
Tax credit
45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit
Hydrogen credit
45V Clean Hydrogen Production Credit
EPA rulemaking
Annual RVOs, RIN market, small refinery exemptions
IRS / Treasury
45Z & 45V guidance, registration and GREET emissions rates
State layer
CA LCFS, OR CFP, WA CFS
In forceMulti-fuel

Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2), Clean Air Act §211(o)

EPA sets annual volume obligations for total renewable fuel, advanced biofuel, cellulosic biofuel and biomass-based diesel.

Timeline

  1. 2005 / 2007

    Programme created by the Energy Policy Act and expanded by the Energy Independence and Security Act.

  2. 2023–2025

    First multi-year 'set' rule establishing volumes beyond the statutory table.

  3. 2026–2027

    Second set rulemaking establishing annual volumes, including the eRIN question.

  4. Annual

    Compliance demonstration each 31 March for the preceding calendar year.

Requirements

  • Obligated parties are refiners and importers of gasoline and diesel; each receives a percentage renewable volume obligation applied to its production.
  • Four nested categories: total renewable fuel, advanced biofuel, cellulosic biofuel and biomass-based diesel, each with its own D-code.
  • Fuel must meet lifecycle GHG-reduction thresholds for its category (20% conventional, 50% advanced/biomass-based diesel, 60% cellulosic).
  • Up to 20% of an annual obligation may be met with RINs carried over from the prior year.

Compliance status & enforcement

Administrator
US Environmental Protection Agency
How compliance is shown
Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) are generated at production, tracked in the EPA Moderated Transaction System (EMTS) and retired against the annual obligation each March.
Penalty for shortfall
Civil penalties per day of violation under the Clean Air Act, plus mandatory retirement of replacement RINs; cellulosic waiver credits may substitute for cellulosic RINs.
Tradable unit
Renewable Identification Number (RIN)
Phasing inMulti-fuel

Low Carbon Fuel Standard, Cal. Code Regs. tit. 17

Transport fuels sold in California must meet a declining annual carbon-intensity benchmark against a 2010 baseline.

Timeline

  1. 2011

    Programme starts under AB 32 authority.

  2. 2018

    Amendments extend the target to a 20% CI reduction by 2030.

  3. 2025

    Amended regulation takes effect with a steeper trajectory and auto-acceleration mechanism.

  4. 2030

    30% carbon-intensity reduction versus 2010.

  5. 2045

    90% carbon-intensity reduction versus 2010.

Requirements

  • Carbon intensity of each fuel is certified through a CARB-approved lifecycle pathway application.
  • Deficits are generated by fuels above the annual benchmark; credits by fuels below it.
  • Quarterly and annual reporting through the LCFS Reporting Tool and Credit Bank & Transfer System.
  • Third-party verification required for most pathway holders and reporting entities.

Compliance status & enforcement

Administrator
California Air Resources Board
How compliance is shown
Credits and deficits are reconciled annually; credits are bankable indefinitely and freely tradable, with a cost-containment credit price ceiling.
Penalty for shortfall
Enforcement action and penalties under the Health and Safety Code; persistent deficit balances trigger a compliance curve adjustment.
Tradable unit
LCFS credit (one metric tonne CO2e)
Phasing inMulti-fuel

Oregon Clean Fuels Program, OAR Chapter 340 Division 253

Fuel importers must reduce the average carbon intensity of Oregon transport fuels against a 2015 baseline.

Timeline

  1. 2016

    Programme begins with a 0.25% reduction.

  2. 2022

    Rulemaking extends targets to 2035.

  3. 2030

    20% carbon-intensity reduction.

  4. 2035

    37% carbon-intensity reduction.

Requirements

  • Registered importers report volumes and carbon intensities quarterly.
  • Carbon-intensity values come from OR-GREET certified pathways.
  • Annual compliance report and third-party verification for larger reporters.

Compliance status & enforcement

Administrator
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
How compliance is shown
Credit and deficit accounting in the Oregon Fuels Reporting System, with tradable credits and unlimited banking.
Penalty for shortfall
Civil penalties under Oregon DEQ enforcement rules for unresolved deficits.
Tradable unit
Clean Fuels Program credit