This month, we are pleased to introduce Dr. Michael J. Rensing, one of Stillwater’s newest Associates and an accomplished leader in low-carbon fuels policy. Michael brings nearly two decades of regulatory design, policy implementation, and market insight to our team, along with deep technical expertise and strong relationships across North America’s fuel landscape.
Michael’s introduction to Stillwater began when he was preparing expert testimony on a proposed clean transportation fuel program. While comparing his analysis with work produced by Stillwater’s Dr. Adam Schubert, he noticed a strong alignment in methods and modeling approaches. The two collaborated closely as they prepared testimony, and the partnership revealed shared values and a complementary perspective on clean fuels analysis.
“Everything just kept clicking,” Michael recalls. “The company and I think alike. Our work overlaps in all the right ways.”
The professional relationship grew from there, leading him to join Stillwater as an Associate.
A Unique Blend of Regulatory and Technical Expertise
Michael brings a depth of real-world experience that is hard to find in the clean fuels space. Before moving into consulting, he spent many years inside the British Columbia government helping shape and implement some of the most established low-carbon fuel policies in North America. He played key roles in developing the province’s Low Carbon Fuels Act (the foundation for the British Columbia Low Carbon Fuel Standard, BC-LCFS) and worked directly with industry, policymakers, and federal partners to bring the Canadian Clean Fuel Regulations (CFR) to life. He also served in senior leadership roles, including Executive Director of Low Carbon Fuels, where he guided regulatory development and oversaw programs that helped drive significant investment in clean fuel projects across the province.
In his consulting work, Michael has continued to support organizations navigating the BC-LCFS, Canadian CFR, and other clean fuel standards across North America. He has advised clients on compliance strategies, modeled policy impacts, supported investment decisions, and provided expert testimony. His mix of regulatory insight, policy design experience, and hands-on analytical work gives him a rare ability to connect big-picture policy with practical on-the-ground decisions.
Michael’s is exactly the combination of skills that strengthens Stillwater’s work with clients who are operating at the intersection of regulation, transport energy markets, and technology development.
His regulatory experience, combined with hands‑on work with industry, strengthens Stillwater’s ability to help clients navigate evolving clean fuel standards in Canada, the United States, and beyond.
The Essential Role of Transportation Fuels
Michael has worked in the clean fuels space for nearly 20 years and remains passionate about the role fuels play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“You cannot separate upstream extraction from vehicle use,” he explains. “That is why lifecycle approaches like the LCFS are so important. They work. They are one of the only tools that have shown measurable impact on GHG emissions.”
He describes the energy transition as a “wicked problem,” meaning one that is complex, ever‑changing, and resistant to simple solutions. That complexity is part of what keeps him engaged.
“Just when you think you understand the system, there is more. Oversimplification slows progress.”
Innovation, Feedstocks, and the Road Ahead
Michael is closely following developments in renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel, particularly the emergence of new feedstocks such as wood waste, municipal solid waste, and sewage sludge. Technologies like hydrothermal liquefaction and gasification, he believes, have the potential to transform the cost structure of renewable fuels and create more sustainable long‑term supply.
He has supported several hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) projects and is especially excited about innovations led by municipalities seeking solutions for waste management that can also produce low-carbon fuels.
Life Beyond the Fuels World
Outside of work, Michael enjoys woodworking, home renovation projects, and developing a permaculture food forest on his one‑third acre property. He is also rediscovering his love of reading after transitioning from full‑time government work.
Welcome, Michael
We are delighted to have Michael as part of the Stillwater team. His regulatory insight, clean fuels expertise, modeling capabilities, and collaborative approach strengthen our ability to support clients across the clean fuels value chain.
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