BC government engages with Advanced Biofuels Canada, other stakeholders to assess post-2020 program and potential policy improvements in current regulation.

VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA, December 5, 2017 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The government of BC has launched consultations on the Renewable and Low Carbon Fuel Requirements Regulation (RLCFRR). The regulation was last formally reviewed in 2014 as part of the province’s commitment to a three-year consultation cycle on the regulation.

The scope of the consultation covers, “The feasibility of the carbon intensity targets, including the potential to require a 15 to 20 percent total reduction in carbon intensity of transportation fuels by 2030” as well as potential amendments regarding cost containment, refinery improvements, biojet recognition, and non-fuel (Part 3) credit generating activities. The RLCFRR includes a renewable fuel mandate – 5% in gasoline, 4% in diesel – as well as a carbon intensity reduction requirement (10% below 2010 by 2020), called a ‘low carbon fuel standard’ or LCFS.

“This regulation has been called ‘the best climate action policy you’ve never heard of’ for good reason,” says Ian Thomson, President of Advanced Biofuels Canada. “It has been responsible for over 7 million tonnes of GHG reductions since 2010, and yet has operated virtually unnoticed by everyday fuel users.” A survey conducted in 2014 revealed that 90% of British Columbians support the policy when they understand how it works, with support remarkably uniform across British Columbia’s diverse regions, and across personal age groups, income levels, employment status and family types. That study is available at Navius Research. Data from the most recent (2016) annual report on the RLCFRR shows that biofuels contributed 81% of emissions reductions of the 1.13 MT regulation total.

Documentation accompanying the announcement noted that the 2014 LCFS review concluded with the assessment that 2020 compliance with the regulation would be possible, but challenging. The review further determined that fuel suppliers had not fully engaged in activities that would enable compliance, and needed to move beyond self-imposed constraints with solutions, such as use of mid- to high-blend biofuels, that are prevalent in other jurisdictions. It was also noted that, “In order to influence consumers to choose low carbon fuels instead of high carbon alternatives, fuel suppliers need to set prices appropriately.”

Advanced Biofuels Canada has been the leading advocate for the BC RLFCRR since well before its enactment. Our members provide biofuels with the range of carbon intensities, volumes, and operability required to meet the RLCFRR targets. The association will actively support the BC LCFS review through 2017 – 2018.

Advanced Biofuels Canada/ Biocarburants avancés Canada promotes the production and use of low carbon advanced biofuels in Canada, which our members supply across North America and globally. These companies have invested in biofuels processing and supply chain operations across Canada, and are actively bringing to market the next generation of low carbon biofuels. The organization has a decade of leadership in policy and program design for biofuel demand and sustainable production conditions for our domestic biofuels industry. For information on Advanced Biofuels Canada and our members, please visit: www.advancedbiofuels.ca.

Advanced biofuels reduce carbon emissions at least 50% below the fossil fuels they displace, and are made from sustainable biomass. Canada has approximately 750 million litres of advanced biofuel production capacity, and fuels produced in Canada are used across North America and Europe.

For more information:
Ian Thomson, President, Advanced Biofuels Canada
+1 778 233 3889 ithomson@advancedbiofuels.ca www.advancedbiofuels.ca

Ian Thomson
Advanced Biofuels Canada
6049470040
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