John Yap, Clean Technology Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Mines has announced amendments to the renewable and low carbon fuel requirements regulation.

The use of renewable fuel in 2010 saved 418,919 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from being released into the environment, the equivalent of about 82,000 cars being removed from the road.

The amendment delays the requirement for fuel suppliers to reduce the carbon intensity of their fuels. This will mean that the carbon-intensity requirements will continue to be reporting-only until June 30, 2013. The Province remains committed to its low-carbon fuel requirement target of 10 per cent by 2020.

Two further amendments are being made, including capping the renewable content in diesel at four per cent, and setting the threshold to exempt small suppliers at 75 million litres of gasoline and diesel. This is in response to industry concerns about the price and availability of high-quality renewable diesel for use in very cold weather. Nonetheless, over 95 per cent of the fuel sold in B.C. remains subject to the regulation.

Through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Renewable and Low Carbon Fuel Requirements) Act and regulations, B.C. will remain a leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions that are associated with transportation fuels.

Contact:

Sandra Steilo
Media Relations
Ministry of Energy and Mines
250 952-0617