Five US states now have a clean fuel standard. California, Oregon, Washington and New Mexico run operating programs, and Hawaii's law was signed in July 2026. The operating programs give credits to low-carbon fuels, including electricity used to charge vehicles, and the larger commercial credits depend on a measured quantity. That makes the meter one of the first things a verifier looks at.
This guide covers what each state requires, where metering decides whether a credit counts, and which bills are moving in other states, including Pennsylvania.
How Clean Fuel Standard Credits Work
Every program sets an annual carbon-intensity benchmark for transportation fuels that falls each year. Fuels above the benchmark create deficits. Fuels below it, such as electricity used in an electric vehicle, create credits that can be sold to deficit holders.
Programs differ in names, targets and verification timing. Some residential charging is credited from estimates, but commercial charging, fleet and forklift credits increasingly require metered kilowatt-hours.
State-by-State Status (November 2026)
| State | Program | Status | Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) | Operating since 2011; amendments effective July 1, 2025 | Annual step-downs plus an automatic acceleration mechanism |
| Oregon | Clean Fuels Program | Operating since 2016 | Planned extension to at least 50% by 2040 |
| Washington | Clean Fuel Standard | Operating | 20% below 2017 levels by 2034 |
| New Mexico | Clean Transportation Fuel Program | Enforced from April 1, 2026 | 20% carbon-intensity cut this decade |
| Hawaii | Clean Fuel Standard (Act 258) | Signed July 15, 2026; rules due by January 1, 2028 | 10% below 2019 by 2035, 50% by 2045 |
California: Verification Arrives for Electricity
California's amended LCFS took effect on July 1, 2025. Three changes matter for metering:
- Accuracy: metering of EV charging must meet a 5% accuracy requirement and show that calibration specifications are being followed.
- Verification: EV charging was historically exempt from third-party verification. Third-party verification of 2026 EV charging data is required in 2027, and missing or non-compliant meter records can lead to disallowed or reduced credits.
- Forklifts: beginning with 2026 reporting, forklift electricity use must be metered, replacing estimation.
Two credit opportunities also widened. Owners of chargers at multifamily properties can now claim credits for their charging, provided the chargers are not limited to dedicated or reserved parking spaces. DC fast chargers of at least 50 kW can earn capacity-based infrastructure credits, but the light- and medium-duty pathway is now limited to sites in disadvantaged, low-income or rural communities, and each program category is capped at 2.5% of statewide deficits.
Oregon
The Clean Fuels Program has run since 2016 and plans to extend its reduction target to at least 50% by 2040. Annual verification begins in 2026 for the 2025 compliance year.
Washington
The Clean Fuel Standard targets a 20% cut below 2017 levels by 2034. EV charging station owners can earn credits, and Ecology states that meters measuring kilowatt-hour usage must be installed on EV charging stations. Third-party verification begins in 2028 for generators of 10,000 or more credits a year.
New Mexico
The Clean Transportation Fuel Program began enforcement on April 1, 2026 and combines 2026 and 2027 into one compliance period. Eligible electric uses include fast-charging infrastructure, forklifts, cargo handling equipment, transport refrigeration units and airport ground support equipment.
Hawaii
Act 258 requires the Hawaii Department of Transportation to adopt rules for alternative fuels by January 1, 2028, and for gasoline and diesel by January 1, 2029. Metering requirements will be set in that rulemaking.
What Is Pending: Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois and Michigan
Bills are in committee in four more states. None has passed.
- Pennsylvania: HB 2063, the Clean Fuels Standards Act, would cut carbon intensity 15% in 10 years for transportation and heating fuels, with third-party verification. It has been in the House Energy Committee since December 2025.
- New York: S1343B would establish a clean fuel standard covering providers of transportation fuels, including electricity.
- Illinois: SB 3693 would cut ground transportation fuel carbon intensity 25% below 2019 levels.
- Michigan: SB 1190 was introduced in October 2026.
Facility owners in these states who are installing chargers or electric forklifts now can meter them at install, since specifying a meter up front is simpler than adding one later.
What a Verifier Will Ask For
Across programs, the common thread is the same:
- A dedicated meter on the charging feed, separate from building load
- A known accuracy class for that meter
- Records showing the meter was calibrated or certified
- Interval data that ties energy to each charger or charger group
Charger-reported energy can work, but it depends on the charger's own certification and on keeping access to the charging network's data. An independent revenue-grade meter on the EVSE feed gives a second record that stays with the site if the charging network changes.
Metering Hardware for EV Charging and Forklift Credits
Emergent Metering supplies revenue-grade metering hardware sized to charger and forklift charging feeds:
- Electric meters, including Leviton/Obvius meters and data acquisition servers
- Current transformers sized to charger and feeder capacity
- Metering panels pre-wired for multi-charger installations
- Gateways that deliver interval data to billing, BMS or credit-reporting platforms
For multi-site operators, Emergent Metering's Managed Intelligence service adds continuous data logging, 24+ month data retention, verification-ready exports and calibration tracking with alerts for upcoming calibration dates.
Emergent Metering supplies equipment and data. Credit registration, quarterly reporting and verification sit with the credit generator, its aggregator and an accredited verification body.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states have a clean fuel standard?
California, Oregon, Washington and New Mexico operate clean fuel standard programs. Hawaii enacted one in July 2026, with rules due by January 1, 2028.
Do EV chargers need a separate meter for LCFS credits?
California requires EV charging metering to meet 5% accuracy with calibration records, and Washington requires kWh meters on charging stations. A dedicated revenue-grade meter on the charger feed is the most direct way to document both.
When does California verify EV charging credits?
Third-party verification of 2026 EV charging data takes place in 2027. EV charging was previously exempt from verification.
Do forklifts need to be metered for California LCFS credits?
Yes. Beginning with 2026 reporting, California requires forklift electricity use to be metered rather than estimated.
Does Pennsylvania have a clean fuel standard?
Not yet. HB 2063, the Clean Fuels Standards Act, is in the House Energy Committee.
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About Emergent Metering Solutions
Emergent Metering Solutions provides commercial and industrial metering hardware, installation support, and energy analytics services. We specialize in electric meters, water meters, BTU meters, compressed air meters, gas meters, and steam meters with Modbus RTU, BACnet IP, pulse output, and wireless communication options. Our Managed Intelligence services deliver automated reporting, anomaly detection, tenant billing, and AI-powered consumption forecasting. We support compliance with IECC 2021, ASHRAE 90.1-2022, NYC Local Law 97, Boston BERDO 2.0, DC BEPS, California LCFS, and EU CSRD requirements.
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