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For Immediate Release                                                                                                                                                                May 07, 2013

Industry Ready to Get to Work on a Renewable Diesel Mandate

OTTAWA, Ontario, May 07, 2013 – Last week, the Ontario government confirmed its commitment to renewable fuels by announcing consultations on a renewable diesel mandate as part of its budget.  In particular, these consultations will seek a renewable content standard for diesel and consider the carbon intensity for any qualifying fuel.  The announcement in the budget is a very important first step to the creation of a mandate for renewable content in Ontario’s diesel fuel and is welcome news for biofuels producers and consumers alike.
 
“Clean-burning, renewable fuels reduce harmful greenhouse gas and tailpipe emissions, making a real difference for the health of our climate and ourselves.  As such, these important consultations should be initiated as soon as possible,” said CRFA President W. Scott Thurlow.  “Biodiesel is a proven, high-performance fuel that is being used across North America.  In fact, trucks entering Ontario from western provinces and the United States are already running on biodiesel blends.  This is even more reason to get to work on a mandate so that Ontario keeps pace with its neighbours and starts enjoying the economic benefits of domestic renewable fuels production where it matters most – here at home.”

More than any other policy tool, mandates drive investment and expand local production.  As stated in its pre-budget submission and testimony, the CRFA is recommending:

• A 2 percent renewable content standard in the Ontario diesel fuel market; and
• A carbon intensity of at least a 50 percent improvement over a life-cycle basis.

Doing so would require at least 160 million litres of renewable product be blended in Ontario and could create the equivalent greenhouse gas reduction of removing 100,000 vehicles from Ontario’s roads. 

The CRFA welcomes the opportunity to work with the government and other stakeholders as part of the consultation process.  We ask all political parties to support these initiatives for renewable fuels and pass the provincial budget expeditiously. 

Prompt passage of the budget is critical in order for the consultation process to begin without delay.  A timely consultation process is necessary if any renewable diesel mandate is to be implemented prior to the elimination of the biodiesel tax credit scheduled for April 1, 2014 – a policy which could save the province up to $240 million over ten years in tax exposure.

About the CRFA

Founded in 1984, the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA) is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote the use of renewable fuels for transportation through consumer awareness and government liaison activities.

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For More Information:
Andrea Kent, Director of Communications
Canadian Renewable Fuels Association
613-594-5528 ext 221
a.kent@greenfuels.org