WA House upgrades Clean Fuels Program

OLYMPIA, WA — Late on Mar 10, 2025 the Washington State House of Representatives voted (54-41) to pass HB 1409 Concerning the Clean Fuel Standard (CFS) bolstering Washington’s effort to reduce transportation emissions and further invest in the transition to electric. HB 1409 will strengthen the current Clean Fuels program (launched in 2023) with greater pollution reductions and higher reinvestments into support for clean transportation. This will include more reinvestments in EV charging and incentives from utilities, local job creation, and cleaner choices for Washington consumers with a better market for EV charging companies to install public charging in WA, and increased sustainable biofuels. 

Transportation is still Washington’s largest source of climate pollution, responsible for 40% of total emissions. The CFS, part of a massive year in climate legislation in 2021, is Washington’s best go at reducing transportation pollution and transitioning to cleaner vehicles—it requires transportation fuels (e.g. gas and diesel) used across the state to become cleaner over time, while also investing in low-carbon biofuels and expanding electric vehicle charging. By 2034, the current CFS could reduce Washington’s greenhouse gas emissions by 4 million metric tons annually; the update that passed the House could possibly double these pollution reductions.  When the Washington Legislature passed the CFS in 2021, the state aligned with existing CFS programs in California, Oregon and British Columbia to create a “clean fuels coast.” 

The Clean Fuels program was also designed to help spur local economic development and promote using local cleaner (low-carbon) fuels rather than relying on out-of-state oil, subject to the volatility of global fuel market pricing. Washington drivers send roughly $9 billion out of state every year through gasoline purchases—more locally made and available fuels, including electricity and renewable diesel, can help make cleaner transportation fuels more cost-effective for Washington drivers. Even small businesses like local restaurants often benefit from clean fuels programs. They can take part of private biofuel companies’ used fryer grease collection programs that turn the old cooking oil into low-carbon renewable diesel that is “drop-in” ready for larger engines that typically run on diesel alone. 

“Everyone can be proud that Washington continues to clean up our air, strengthen and reinvest in our state’s economy, and increase choices for Washington drivers and businesses by doubling down on the Clean Fuels program,” said Leah Missik, Acting WA Director of Climate Solutions 

HB 1409 is now anticipated to head to the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology for its first Senate hearing.