SB 140 - Kehoe

In 2007, EIN re-introduced its legislation to create the California Renewable Diesel Standard (RDS).  Senate Bill 140 was authored by Senator Christine Kehoe of San Diego.  During the first year of this two-year session, the bill passed out of the Senate and three Assembly committees and now only requires a vote on the Assembly floor before heading to the Governor for his signature.  Because this is a two-year session, the bill will be picked up again in January where we left off.

SB 140 would require diesel fuel sold in California to contain a minimum and increasing percentage of renewable diesel such as biodiesel: a wholly renewable, cleaner-burning, domestically produced petroleum-diesel substitute.  The bill would require diesel fuel sold in the state to contain at least 2% renewable content within two years after the Air Resources Board issues a determination, then increase to 5% two years later.  The blends called for in this bill must meet all existing and forthcoming diesel emissions regulations.

If enacted, the California Renewable Diesel Standard will:

• Reduce petroleum diesel consumption by 61.5 million gallons a year by 2009, and 162.5 million gallons a year by 2011
• Reduce emissions of carbon monoxide by 1,934 tons per year by 2009, and 4,805 tpy by 2011
• Reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by 427,000 tpy by 2009 and 1.06 million tpy by 2011
• Reduce emissions of sulphur oxides by 192.5 topy by 2009 and 481 tpy by 2011
• Reduce emissions of particulate matter by 269.5 tpy by 2009 and 666.3 tpy by 2011

To view detailed information on SB 140, including the bill’s text, status, history, legislative analyses, and vote records, click here. 

To download a primer explaining the background and need for the California Renewable Diesel Standard, click here.

To download EIN’s FAQ sheet on the California Renewable Diesel Standard, click here.

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