Massachusetts Biofuels and Low Carbon Fuel Standards

On July 28, 2008, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed HB 4951, the Clean Energy Biofuels Act.  The act grants a state gasoline tax exemption to “eligible cellulosic biofuels.”  The gasoline tax exemption applies to biofuels that (1) yield a 60 percent reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions relative to the petroleum based fuel it displaces and (2) come from a cellulosic feedstock, such as switchgrass, agricultural waste, or forest products, rather than a conventional feedstock, such as corn or soybeans.  Cellulosic biofuels are produced from the stalks, leaves, and stems of plants rather than the sugars and starches. 

In addition, the act requires that starting in 2010 biofuels compose at least 2 percent of diesel fuel and home heating oil sold in the commonwealth, ramping up to 5 percent in 2013.  Eligible fuel substitutes must reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent.  The act also states that the commonwealth shall develop and enter into an agreement among the states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to implement a Low Carbon Fuel Standard to reduce GHG emissions from the transportation sector by 10 percent.  When possible, the LCFS will draw upon the experience of California in the development and implementation of an LCFS and, if applicable, use California’s life cycle analysis methods to calculate the carbon intensity of fuel.

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