Plan would mandate fuels have less carbon

Ethanol industry fears punishment

By Michael Gardner U-T Sacramento Bureau
2:00 a.m. April 21, 2009

AT ISSUE: CLEANER FUEL
The state Air Resources Board Thursday will consider sweeping regulations to require fuel providers to cut the amount of carbon in gas and diesel by 10 percent.

Pro: Standards would take into account all emissions associated with fuels, from oil to biodiesel. By forcing cleaner types of fuel, the state will reduce greenhouse gas emissions linked to global warming and curb oil imports.

Con: The rules could scare investors away from alternative fuels such as ethanol. The regulations could be expensive for the industry and motorists.

SACRAMENTO – California is on the verge of adopting another landmark policy to curb greenhouse gas emissions and reduce demand for imported oil, this time by requiring fuel providers to cut the carbon intensity in gasoline and diesel by 10 percent by 2020.

If it approves the plan Thursday, the state Air Resources Board will extend its reach far beyond the tailpipe and take into account the emissions generated at every step of production – not just for petroleum, but also for cleaner-burning substitutes such as ethanol and other biofuels.

“For the first time, it holds fuel providers accountable,â€