What is the Clean Fuels Standard (CFS)?

The Washington Clean Fuel Standard (CFS) is a statewide market-based policy with the goal reducing carbon emissions from the transportation sector — the state’s largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions — and stimulate economic development in low carbon fuel production. By 2038, fuel suppliers are required to reduce the carbon intensity (CI) of transportation fuels by 20% compared to the 2017 baseline. Suppliers of fuels with a CI measuring below the annual baseline are able to generate credits, and those with a CI higher than the baseline generate deficits. The crediting scheme is designed to incentivize the produce and use of clean fuels and lower the total transportation-related emissions statewide.