Consultation begins on low carbon fuel solution
B.C.’s new Clean Technology Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Mines, MLA John Yap, will consult with industry on how to improve B.C.’s low carbon fuel requirements.
This will help B.C. grow the market for low carbon fuel, creating jobs and opportunities throughout the province.
It is expected the province will become more competitive by improving a market-based regulation for low carbon transportation fuels.
Marketers and distributors of transportation fuels supply different markets. It is important for B.C. to learn from other jurisdictions as well as fully understanding market dynamics.
Yap will meet with B.C.’s major fuel suppliers to discuss these important requirements and to also address opportunities and challenges for industry.
At the conclusion of these consultations, he will assess B.C.’s long-term competitive position while ensuring that these regulations do not have a negative consequence on families and their household budgets.
Yap will also review what other global leaders are doing to advance low-carbon transportation fuel options. On finalizing this research he will produce recommendations on how B.C. can move forward with low carbon transportation energy solutions.
These recommendations will be presented to Rich Coleman, Minister of Energy and Mines by Aug. 31.
The current renewable and low carbon requirements under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Renewable and Low Carbon Fuel Requirements) Act include:
- A provincial annual average of five per cent renewable content in gasoline sold in British Columbia.
- A provincial annual average of three per cent renewable content in diesel sold in British Columbia in 2010, four per cent in 2011, and five percent from 2012 onward.
- A 10 per cent reduction in the carbon intensity of transportation fuels by 2020.
The regulation provides industry with flexibility to achieve compliance. Options include:
- Supplying more low-carbon fuels (e.g. electricity, natural gas and biofuels).
- Improving refining efficiency.
- Improving agricultural practices for growing biofuel crops.
- Acquiring low carbon fuel credits from suppliers of low carbon fuels.
Learn more: To find out more about low carbon fuel requirements, visit: http://www.empr.gov.bc.ca/RET/RLCFRR/Pages/default.aspx.
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