If enacted, this legislation would require all providers in Illinois to comply with the established clean transportation standard, with additional reductions in carbon intensity to be determined based on technological advances. This shift is anticipated to spur innovation and investment in alternative energy sources for transportation. Furthermore, the bill outlines a system of monetary credits for sustainable aviation fuel producers, incentivizing the reduction of carbon emissions while providing flexibility in meeting compliance obligations.
Summary
SB1556 aims to amend the Environmental Protection Act by introducing a clean transportation standard focused on reducing carbon intensity from the on-road transportation sector by 20% by 2038. The bill mandates that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency propose rules for this standard and for the Pollution Control Board to adopt them within specified timeframes. It seeks to promote the use of nonpetroleum fuels and innovative solutions to mitigate air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the transportation sector, which is identified as a leading source of these contaminants in Illinois.
Contention
The clean transportation standard is not without its controversies. Exempting aviation fuels from these standards has raised concerns among environmental advocates who argue that all areas of fuel usage should be subject to emissions regulations. The bill also presents the potential for significant changes in how transportation fuels are monitored and measured towards compliance, raising questions about the implications for existing fuel providers and the broader transportation industry in Illinois. There may be debates about the pace and feasibility of achieving the ambitious carbon reduction targets stipulated in the bill.