14th Annual OPIS LCFS & Carbon Markets Workshop
January 13-15, 2026
The Hard Rock Hotel | San Diego, California
14th Annual OPIS LCFS & Carbon Markets Workshop
January 13-15, 2026
The Hard Rock Hotel | San Diego, California
Henry Kronk, Senior Carbon Markets Editor — OPIS, A Dow Jones Company
An in-depth presentation introducing carbon-price reporting methodology and recent market trendlines, providing a data-driven foundation for the day’s deeper policy and analysis discussions. Explore the latest trends in global carbon pricing with insights into market dynamics and regulatory developments. This session offers high-level knowledge of the cost of carbon credits across the globe and the programs shaping efforts in each region.
Slade Rand, Carbon Markets Editor — OPIS, A Dow Jones Company
Federal and regional climate policies continue to evolve, shaping the future of U.S. carbon markets. This session explores recent legislative and regulatory developments at the federal level and across East Coast programs such as RGGI and NYCI, highlighting their implications for compliance entities, investors, and the broader carbon market landscape.
Justin Johnson, RGGI Representative — IETA
Olivia Windorf, U.S. Policy Fellow — C2ES
Caroline Gentry, Director, Environmental Markets — Nodal Exchange
Lee Ann Bryan, Analyst, Carbon Policy — OPIS, a Dow Jones Company
The Voluntary Carbon Market is entering a new phase driven by innovation and credibility demands. This session explores how technologies like CCUS and DAC, alongside improved MRV systems and quality standards, are shaping next-generation carbon projects. Panelists will discuss evolving buyer expectations, alignment with compliance markets, and what’s needed to scale durable removals and restore confidence in the VCM.
Adam Schoenberg, Senior Director of Carbon Markets — Conservation International
Christian Theuer, Director of Policy & External Affairs — Heirloom Carbon Technologies
Dan Kalafatas, Chairman & Co-Founder — 3Degrees
Jordan Kummerfield, Manager, Energy and Industrial Innovation — VERRA
Henry Kronk, Senior Carbon Markets Editor — OPIS, A Dow Jones Company
The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism is reshaping global discussions on competitiveness, carbon leakage, and climate equity. This panel examines how CBAM influences international carbon-policy alignment and impacts trading partners, emerging economies, and compliance systems. Panelists will explore links between border-carbon measures, climate finance, and nature-based policies under COP30, as well as evolving U.S. policy positions and the role of carbon markets in connecting global climate strategies.
Shuting Pomerleau, Director of Energy & Environmental Policy — American Action Forum
Brock Burton, Climate & Trade Associate Fellow — Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
Trevor Sutton, Director, Program on Trade and the Clean Energy Transition— Columbia University
Alex Rau, General Partner — Environmental Commodity Partners
Christine Dragisic, Managing Director, Global Policy — National Audubon Society
Stephen Donofrio, Head of Carbon Intelligence — OPIS, a Dow Jones Company
Explore the latest developments in Latin America’s carbon-pricing landscape, from emerging ETS and carbon-tax systems to evolving regional frameworks. Panelists will share insights from COP30 and discuss how global negotiations may shape policy alignment, market linkages, and investment across the region’s carbon markets.
Christina McCain, Ph.D., Founder & Principal — Ecosophy Collaborative Consulting
Nathalie Flores, VP, Carbon Markets — StoneX Group Inc.
Jose Pedro Bastos Neves, Deputy Secretary, Carbon Markets — Ministry of Finance, Brazil
Stephen Donofrio, Head of Carbon Intelligence — OPIS, a Dow Jones Company
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Jordan Godwin, Director of Renewable Fuels — OPIS, A Dow Jones Company
Whether you’re a newcomer to the industry or a seasoned veteran, this 101-style refresher course on the ins and outs of compliance under California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) is essential. With California having recently finalized amendments to the program in 2025, this annual overview is especially critical this year.
Nathalie Hoffman, Managing Director, Energy Climate Services, Regulatory Consulting — Weaver
Hear about California Air Resources Board (CARB) LCFS program updates, as well as a look ahead at what’s in store for the LCFS.
Richard Corey, Partner — AJW
Hear from regulators overseeing Washington’s Clean Fuel Standard, Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program and New Mexico’s Clean Transportation Fuel Program as they discuss current developments and what to look for in the year ahead.
Abbey Brown, Technical Lead, Clean Fuel Standard — Washington Department of Ecology
Michelle Miano, Environmental Protection Division Director — New Mexico Environment Department
Bill Peters, Clean Fuels Program Manager — Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Evelyn Olson, CAMIRO Low Carbon Fuels Analyst, Policy — OPIS, A Dow Jones Company
Treat yourself to an engaging dialogue between industry representatives with varying perspectives on LCFS policy. Attendees will be exposed to high-level talking points, including the latest program amendments, short-term and long-term challenges and a wide variety of other pressing topics.
Robin Vercruse, Executive Director — Low Carbon Fuels Coalition
Josh Bledsoe, Partner — Latham & Watkins
Sam Wade, Vice President of Public Policy — RNG Coalition
Cory-Ann Wind, Director of State Regulatory Affairs — Clean Fuels Alliance America
Jordan Godwin, Director of Renewable Fuels – OPIS, A Dow Jones Company
Now that more stringent targets have been adopted in California, how difficult will it be for obligated stakeholders to maintain compliance in the coming years? The robust LCFS credit bank has made compliance relatively easy to achieve in recent years, but how quickly could that bank dwindle under the new targets?
Philip Sheehy, Senior Director, Global Carbon Advisory — BGC
Colin Murphy, Co-Director of the Energy Futures Research Program — UC Davis Policy Institute of Transportation Studies
Michael Schneider, Senior Biofuels Journalist – OPIS, A Dow Jones Company
This panel will explore LCFS credit pricing trends and what we can expect from values in the year(s) ahead. LCFS prices were stuck near multiyear lows for much of 2024 and 2025, but how likely is a price recovery in 2026? Our expert panelists will provide both analysis and predictions.
Megan Boutwell, President — Stillwater Associates
Stephen Donofrio, Head of Carbon Markets Intelligence — OPIS CAMIRO
Jordan Godwin, Director of Renewable Fuels — OPIS, A Dow Jones Company
Renewable diesel continues to supplant diesel demand in California, with much of its success due to the LCFS program. Can SAF eventually achieve similar results without a robust federal tax credit? Topics to be covered include current production capacity, blend levels, and feedstock availability as well as policy levers that could impact the growth trajectory.
Corey Lavinsky, VP, Renewables Policy — Montana Renewables
Mark Fitz, President and Principal — Star Oilco
Anthony Reed, Partner — FGS Global
Patrick Newkumet, Senior Biofuels Journalist – OPIS, A Dow Jones Company
The RNG industry has experienced another burst of growth, with new investments being made in a diverse mix of projects, but are there policy obstacles on the horizon that could slow the market’s growth? Join us for a closer look at how the latest LCFS amendments could affect RNG markets in California, as well as emerging opportunities in other states and jurisdictions.
Sam Wade, Vice President of Public Policy — RNG Coalition
Jim Lucas, Market Development Manager — Southern California Gas Company
Sean Wine, VP, Renewables, Distribution — Clean Energy Fuels
Nicole Rice, President — California Renewable Transportation Alliance
Evelyn Olson, CAMIRO Low Carbon Fuels Analyst, Policy — OPIS, A Dow Jones Company
Ethanol and biodiesel producers have made significant strides in recent years to achieve carbon reductions that increase the value of their fuels in LCFS jurisdictions, but how far can they go in a low-margin environment? This key presentation will address how these fuels can continue to thrive in an increasingly stringent compliance market.
Curtis Powers, Renewables Regulatory Consultant — Chevron
Jeff Wilkerson, Government Policy & Regulatory Affairs Manager — Pearson Fuels
Monte Shaw, Executive Director — Iowa Renewable Fuels Association
Patrick Newkumet, Senior Biofuels Journalist – OPIS, A Dow Jones Company
Refiners have all had different journeys through LCFS compliance since the program’s inception, with many now becoming major credit generators through new production of low-carbon fuels. Hear from one major refiner about their path and their continued efforts towards decarbonization.
Bruce Fleming, CEO – Calumet, Montana Renewables
The affordability of Low Carbon Fuel Standard programs has been an increasingly growing theme as policymakers ramp up efforts to downplay their effectiveness and impact on the consumer. What does the data say, and how serious is the political risk to the programs’ viability?
Ryan Ruikka, Biofuels Analyst — The ProExporter Network
Colin Murphy, Deputy Director — UC Davis Policy Institute for Energy, Environment and the Economy
Jordan Godwin, Director of Renewable Fuels — OPIS, A Dow Jones Company
Canada’s Clean Fuel standard has been thought to be in peril from time to time as some lawmakers look to “axe the tax”, but the program is resilient and constantly adapting to new fuel trends. This panel of subject matter experts will discuss the road traveled to date, what the future holds and look in detail at the latest developments surrounding British Columbia’s LCFS program.
Michael Rensing, Consultant, Energy Compliance Services, Regulatory Consulting — Weaver
David Schick, VP, Western Canada, Innovation & Regulatory Affairs — Canadian Fuels Association
Fred Ghatala, President — Advanced Biofuels Canada
Jordan Godwin, Director of Renewable Fuels — OPIS, A Dow Jones Company