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 CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE  
Fuel Specifications and Labeling of Natural Gas  
CCR Title 4, New Sections 419 2.1 and 419 2.2; and Sections 4206 and 4207  
April 26, 2024  
 
 
NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING  ACTION  
 
The California Department of Food and Agri culture (Department) proposes to adopt  
California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 4 , Sections 419 2.1 and 419 2.2 relating to 
fuel quality specification requirements for natural gas used as motor vehicle fuel. The 
Department proposes to  amend  CCR  Title 4 , Section  4206  relating t o labeling 
requirements for natural gas motor vehicle fuel  dispensers . The Department also 
proposes to relocate Federal Trade Commission (FTC) natural gas motor vehicle fuel 
dispenser labeling requirements from CCR Title 4 , Section 4207 to Section 4206 .  
 
PUBLIC HEARING  
The Department did not schedule a  public hearing. One will be scheduled  if any 
interested person or his or her duly authorized representative submits a written  request  
to the Department no later than 15 calendar days prior to the close of the written 
comment period . Address the request for a hearing to the primary contact person below.  
 
WRITTEN COMMENT PERIOD  
Any interested person or his or her authorized representative may submit to the 
Department written comments relevant to the proposed regulatory action by email , fax, 
or mail addressed to the primary contact person listed below . Please include  “Fuel 
Specification s and Labeling of Natural Gas ” in the subject line of any email , fax, or letter 
regarding this rulemaking. The written comment period begins on  April 26 , 2024, and 
closes at 5:00 p.m. on  June 11 , 2024. 
 
AUTHORITY/REFERENCE  
The secretary of the Department is granted authority to adopt such regulations as is 
reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of Division 5 of the Business and 
Professions Code (BPC) S ection  12027. Pursuant to BPC Section 13440, the 
Department is required to establish specifications for automotive spark -ignition engine 
fuels and t o adopt by reference the latest standards established by a recognized 
consensus organization , i.e., ASTM International or SAE International . This includes 
natural gas motor vehicle fuels. BPC Section 13440 further stipulates that natural gas 
motor vehicle fuels shall meet the latest specification set forth by ASTM International or 
the SAE International . BPC Section 13480 (a) requires that any person selling any Page 2 of 6 
 motor vehicle fuel at retail must  display a plainly visible statement that includes  both the 
product name and grade designation. BPC Section 13480 (c) requires the Department 
to adopt regulations as are reasonably necessary to define and enforce motor vehicle 
fuel antiknock index or other  labeling requirements. BPC Section 13484 requires that 
the displayed statements described in BPC Section 13480 must be placed on each 
customer -facing side of a dispenser.  
 
INFORMATIVE DIGEST/POLICY STATEMENT OVERVIEW  
 
Natural Gas  Fuel Quality Specification s 
Current ly, BPC Section 13440 requires that the Department establish fuel specification s 
for natural gas sold as a motor vehicle fuel and adopt by reference the latest 
specification s set forth by ASTM International or SAE  International . The Department has 
yet to adopt fuel specification s for natural gas sold as motor vehicle fuel. On May 4, 
2021, ASTM International published  ASTM D8080 Standard Specification for 
Compressed Natural Gas  (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Used as a Motor 
Vehicle Fuel.  Additionally, on July 17, 2023, ASTM International published ASTM 
D8487 Standard Specification for Natural Gas, Hydrogen Blends for Use as a Motor 
Vehicle Fuel . With this rulemaking and p ursuant to BPC Section 13440, the Department 
proposes to adopt and incorporate by reference the latest version s of ASTM D8080  and 
D8487  with the exception that natural gas motor vehicle fuel must not be sold with a 
total sulfur content of more than 16 parts per million  by volume (ppmv) to remain 
consistent  with existing state law.  
 
CNG and LNG Dispenser Labeling Requirements  
In 2018, the Department adopted interim labeling requirements for CNG and LNG motor 
vehicle  fuel dispensers  in CCR Section 4206 , and Federal Trade Commission fuel rating 
label requirements in CCR Section 4207 . These requirements are not compatible with 
the proposed adoption of ASTM D8080  and D8487 . With this rulemaking and pursuant 
to BPC Sections 13480 and 13484, the Department proposes to adopt new labeling 
requirements that align with ASTM D8080  and D8487 and to relocate and consolidate 
the FTC labeling requirements into Section 4206 . The Departme nt proposes to limit th e 
fuel grade designations as determined in ASTM D8080  and D8487 .  
 
Anticipated Benefits of the Proposed Regulation  
Adoption and enforcement of ASTM D8080 and D8487 by the Department will 
immediately benefit owners of CNG and LNG vehicles because the fuel that meets 
either of these specifications sold at retail will help assure these vehicle owners that it 
will not impa ir their vehicle’s engine performance and durability. Fuel grade labeling Page 3 of 6 
 requirements will give customers a benchmark of comparison when choosing a natural 
gas fuel that meets their specific engine performance requirements. Updating and 
clarifying fuel gr ade and unit price labeling requirements further helps customers make 
informed value -based decisions.  
 
Adopting both fuel specifications will permit the sale of a larger variety of natural gas 
fuels and allow for higher levels of hydrogen in retail -available natural gas fuel. This 
may benefit natural gas producers because blending in hydrogen produced from 
renewable resources could  improve natural gas marketability in a future energy market 
focused on decarbonization . 
 
Consistency and Compatibility with Existing State Regulations  
The Department has determined  that this proposal is consistent and compatible with 
existing California regulations.  
 
DOCUMENT INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE  
This proposed rulemaking will adopt and incorporate by reference the latest version s of 
ASTM D8080 Standard Specification for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied 
Natural Gas (LNG) Used as a Motor Vehicle Fuel  and ASTM D8487 Standard 
Specification for Natural Gas, Hydrogen Blends for Use a s a Motor Vehicle Fuel , in 
accordance with BPC Section 13440. These document s are under copyright  by ASTM 
International and the latest version s are available for purchase at 
https://www.astm.org/d8080 -21.html  and https://www.astm.org/d8487 -23.html . 
 
MANDATED B Y FEDERAL LAW  
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) adopts CNG/LNG motor vehicle fuel dispenser 
labeling requirements in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 16, Section 
306.12 for LNG and Sections 309.15 and 309.17 for CNG. The Department has already  
adopted the FTC labeling requirements for CNG and LNG motor vehicle fuel. However, 
there is no federal requirement that the State of California adopt a fuel specification for 
natural gas motor vehicle fuel.  
 
OTHER STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS  
No other statutory requirements apply to this proposed rulemaking.  
 
LOCAL MANDATE /FISCAL IMPACT/HOUSING COSTS  
The Department determined that this proposed regulation:  
1. does not impose a mandate on local agencies or school districts ; Page 4 of 6 
 2. does not incur cost s to any local agency or school district requiring 
reimbursement pursuant to Government Code  Sections  17500 et seq. ; 
3. does not incur cost s or savings to any state agency;  
4. does not incur other non -discretionary costs or savings imposed on local 
agencies;  
5. does not incur costs or savings in federal funding to the state; and  
6. does not have a significant effect on housing costs.  
 
STATEWIDE ADVERSE ECONOMIC IMPACT  
The Department determined that the proposed regulation will not have a significant, 
statewide adverse economic impact directly affecting California businesses, including 
the ability of California businesses to compete with businesses in other states.  
 
RESU LTS OF ECONOMIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT/ANALYSIS  
The Department determined that the proposed regulation:  
1. does not create or  eliminate jobs in California;  
2. does not create new businesses or  eliminate existing businesses in California;  
and 
3. does not affect the expan sion of businesses in California.  
 
The proposed regulation simply adopts natural gas  fuel specification s and updates 
CNG/LNG dispenser labeling requirements that result in  businesses incurring a nominal 
cost to meet regulatory compliance . This proposed regulation does not provide  any 
pathways, barricades,  or incentives to the expansion of businesses or to the creation or 
elimination of jobs and businesses.   
 
Other Anticipated Benefits of the Proposed Regulat ion 
Compared to other fossil -based motor vehicle fuels such as gasoline and diesel, natural 
gas fuels are a lower -carbon alternative fuel with significantly lower pollution forming 
emissions and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Continued support of low -carbon 
alternative fuels will help in the reduction of GHG emissions as California transitions to a 
net-zero carbon future. Furthermore, lowering emissions promotes public health by 
improving air quality, particularly for communities located near high -traffic tran sport 
corridors. This reduction in emissions is further attained by increasing the concentration 
of hydrogen blended into natural gas. Water is the only emission of hydrogen 
combustion. Another benefit of natural gas fuels is that they can be produced from  
renewable biomass -based sources such as capturing and refinement of emissions from 
dairies. Renewable natural gas ( RNG ) can be wholly used as motor vehicle fuel or Page 5 of 6 
 blended with non -renewable natural gas fuel and can help further reduce GHG and 
pollution f orming emissions.  
 
COST IMPACTS ON A REPRESENTATIVE PRIVATE PERSON OR BUSINESS  
The Department is aware of cost impact s that  a representative business , affected by 
this rulemaking, would necessarily incur in reasonable compliance with the proposed 
action . The proposed regulation protects the interests of and does not incur additional 
costs to private persons who use natural gas  to fuel their natural gas  vehicles . The 
Department does not anticipate any costs or savings to private persons who purchase 
natural gas motor vehicle fuel.  
 
BUSINESS REPORTING  
No reporting requirements apply to this proposed rulemaking.  
 
EFFECT ON SMALL BUSINESS  
The Department is not aware of any small businesses involved in the retail sale of 
natural gas motor vehicle fuel to the public . The Department is not aware of any 
financial cost or benefit impacts that representative small businesses would incur to 
reasona bly comply with the proposed regulation.  
 
CONSIDERATION OF ALTERNATIVES  
Government Code Section  11346.5 (a)(13 ) requires the Department to determine that 
no reasonable alternative it considered or that has otherwise been identified and 
brought to its attention would be more effective in carrying out the purpose for which the 
action is proposed, would be as effective and less burdensome to affected private 
persons than the proposed action, or would be more cost  effective to affected p rivate 
persons and equally effective in implementing the statutory policy or other provision of 
law. 
 
The Department invites interested persons to present statements or arguments with 
respect to alternatives to the proposed regulation at the scheduled public hearing or 
during the written comment period.  
 
CONTACT  INFORMATION  
Primary and Secondary Contacts:  
Andrew Adkins, Senior Environmental Scientist  (Specialist ) 
Samuel Ferris, Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)  
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 California Department of Food and Agriculture  
Division of Measurement Standards  
6790 Florin Perkins Road, Suite 100  
Sacramento, CA 95828 -1812  
Main: (916) 229 -3000  
Fax: (916) 229 -3055  
Email: dms@cdfa.ca.gov  
 
AVAILABILITY OF DOCUMENTS IN THE  RULEMAKING FILE  
The Department will have the entire rulemaking file available for inspection and copying 
throughout the rulemaking process at the above address. As of the date this notic e is 
published in the California Regulatory Notice Register, the rulemaking file consists of 
this notice, the proposed text of the regulation, the Initial Statement of Reasons, and all 
supporting documents and information relied upon in the development of this proposed 
regulation . Please submit a request  to the address above to receive  a copy of the 
rulemaking file.  
 
AVAILABILITY OF MODIFIED TEXT  
After receiving and considering all timely and relevant comments, the Department may 
adopt the proposed regulation substantially as described in this notice. If, however,  the 
Department makes modifications which are sufficiently related to the originally proposed 
text, it wil l make the modified text (with changes clearly indicated) available for public 
comment for at least 15  calendar  days before the Department adopts the modified  
regulation . Please submit a r equest  to the above address  for a copy of the modified text 
of the regulation . Include “Fuel Specification s and Labeling of  Natural Gas” in the 
subject line of any email, fax, or letter regarding this rulemaking.  
 
AVAILABILITY OF THE FINAL STATEMENT OF REASONS  
Upon its completion, a copy  of the Final Statement of Reasons may be obtained by 
submitting a request to the address above.  
 
AVAILABILITY OF DOCUMENTS ON THE INTERNET  
The Department posts electronic copies of this rulemaking file on it s website at 
www.cdfa.ca.gov/dms/regulations.html