Ontario amends renewable fuel regulations

In Canada, the government of Ontario amended its regulation of renewable content in gasoline and diesel fuel sold in the province. Starting in 2020, the province will double the required renewable content in regular gasoline to 10%, require minimum greenhouse gas reductions for all biofuels, and expand renewable fuel options to include emerging low-carbon fuel technologies. According to Advanced Biofuels Canada’s press release, the amendment also aligns the gasoline regulation with the structure of the existing Greener Diesel regulation, which requires 4% average renewable content of at least 70% lower GHG than petroleum diesel.

The announcement comes with a commitment by the province to “provide funding to fuel distributors for high-blend sustainable biofuels and infrastructure upgrades to increase the availability and use of lower-carbon fuels.” This additional support for biofuels will be crucial in facilitating the transition to low-carbon transportation in Ontario. ABFC also notes potential for the province to realize deeper reductions in the diesel pool with a stronger renewable content requirement over time.