American Natural Gas Advancing LCFS Program in New York State to Increase Natural Gas Use in Transportation

NGVAmerica member American Natural Gas (ANG) – based in Saratoga Springs, New York – is leading the charge in New York State to promote the adoption of a low carbon fuel standard (LCFS), similar to existing programs in California and Oregon, to promote decarbonization of heavy-duty fleets.

ANG worked with Assembly Member Carrie Woerner, chair of the Assembly Subcommittee on Agricultural Production & Technology, to introduce A 5262, legislation that would amend the environmental conservation law to require the development of a low carbon fuel standard to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transportation sector. A companion bill is expected to be introduced soon by Senator Kevin Parker, Chair of the Senate Committee on Energy and Telecommunications.

“With a majority change in the New York State Senate last fall, there is renewed attention in Albany to advancing a progressive pro-environment agenda,” said Drew West, ANG CEO. “Working with leaders of both parties, American Natural Gas and its colleagues are successfully changing the narrative to include the consideration of captured biomethane as part of the solution. RNG takes a real problem and provides a positive net carbon negative transportation solution that is hard to beat.”

The legislation addresses multiple issues of environmental concern in the state. Creation of an LCFS system will encourage an influx of new Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) biodigesters and support Upstate agriculture – namely the state’s sizable dairy industry – as well as address solid waste challenges throughout New York, especially downstate. In addition, the incentivized conversion of the state’s large heavy-duty trucking fleets to natural gas will have a major impact on urban criteria pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions, clearing the air and combatting climate change.

A copy of the bill can be found at: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/a5262.

The legislation received much attention at recent Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation hearings on the state’s proposed Climate and Community Protection Act.

ANG operates more than 40 stations in 14 states and is committed to fueling with biomethane throughout its entire system.

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