Washington Low Carbon Fuel Standard (CFS)

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In 2023, Washington State implemented the Clean Fuel Standard (CFS) to lower the carbon intensity (CI) of transportation fuels - the state’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. In 2025, the program was amended to accelerate and extend its carbon reduction goals, reaching at least a 45% CI decrease by 2038. The CFS also provides capacity crediting incentives to support build-out of hydrogen and electric charging infrastructure. The CFS is also has an annual program fee for all credit generators.

Verification Requirements

Annual starting in 2028 for the 2027 + 2026 compliance years.

Eligible Electric Assets:

Residential EV Charging
Public EV Chargers (including multi-unit dwellings of at least four units)
Commercial EV Charging
Fast-Charging Infrastructure crediting
Forklifts
Cargo Handling Equipment
Transport Refrigeration Units (TRUs)
Shore-Power for Ocean-Going Vessels
Ground Support Equipment at airports

States Eligible for WA CFS Credits

WA

Tracking Registry

Washington Fuels Reporting System (WFRS)

Administering Agency

Washington Department of Ecology (DoE)

Compliance Period // Credit Issuance Schedule

Annual (Jan-Dec) compliance with quarterly reporting and credit issuance

Credit Useful Life

Credits do not expire

Book-and-Claim RECs Accepted

Yes. Eligible RECs must be from the WECC region and retired in WREGIS

For updates on CFS markets including pricing, regulatory updates, and market analyses, please visit our blog.

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Carbon Intensity Compliance

The CFS program establishes Carbon Intensity (CI) standards for gasoline and diesel fuel produced or imported in the state. Fuel suppliers (typically oil and gas companies) that exceed the CI standard may stay in compliance by purchasing credits that are issued to parties (like electric vehicle charger companies or biofuel producers) that supply fuel with a CI that is lower than the standard. Each year, the CI standard decreases in order to continue to support the market structure (i.e. driving demand for credits) and move towards the program goals of a lower carbon fuel system. Washington has given the Department of Ecology instructions to adjust the CI standard between 2028 and 2038 to be between a 3% and 4% reduction, depending on Ecology’s model of credit and fuel supplies; therefore values shown below are approximate.

Compliance Year	Carbon Intensity Reduction	Gasoline (gCO2e/MJ)	Diesel (gCO2e/MJ)
2023	1%	98.44	99.61
2024	1%	97.95	99.11
2025	2%	96.96	98.11
2026	7%	92.01	92.64
2027	11%	88.05	88.65
2028	15%	84.59	85.17
2029	18%	81.23	81.78
2030	21%	77.86	78.39
2031	25%	74.50	75.01
2032	28%	71.13	71.62
2033	32%	67.77	68.23
2034	35%	64.41	64.85
2035	38%	61.04	61.46
2036	42%	57.68	58.07
2037	45%	54.32	54.69
2038	45%	54.41	54.79

WA CFS Management & Brokerage Services

Navigate registration process for eligible assets
Maintain ongoing data reporting requirements with the appropriate state entity
Market credits, transact with counterparties, and remit payment to clients
Provide comprehensive market analysis and regulatory updates

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