US: New rules for carbon fuel

2009-04-24 08:16

Sacramento - California air regulators are considering the first rules in the United States to require low-carbon fuels as part of the state's wider effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The California Air Resources Board is expected to adopt standards that could serve as a template for a national policy on Thursday.

The proposal calls for reducing the carbon content of fuels sold in California by 10% by 2020 by counting the emissions required to deliver gasoline and diesel to California consumers - from drilling a new oil well or planting corn, to transporting it to gas stations.

Transportation accounts for 40% of greenhouse gas emissions in California.

The ethanol and petroleum industries have criticised the proposed rules.

- AP