Biotech Updates

Canada Seeks to Double Biofuel Mandates

June 21, 2017
http://www.producer.com/2017/06/biofuel-makers-hope-for-increase-in-mandate/

Environment and Climate Change Canada is consulting with provinces and territories about increasing the use of low carbon fuels. It has prepared a paper outlining how the standard would address a range of fuels including liquid, gaseous and solid fuels. It would also include fuels used in industry, homes, and buildings.

The objective of the standard is to achieve 30 megatons of annual reductions in GHG emissions by 2030. Canada's biofuel sector believes one of the first things the government needs to do to meet the target is double the ethanol mandate to 10% and increase the biodiesel mandate to five percent from two percent.

Ethanol and grain groups in the United States are now taking an interest in Canada's proposed clean fuel standard. Canada has been the top customer for U.S. ethanol for the last four years. It bought 889 million liters of ethanol worth in 2015-16. This comprises 27% of the total export.

Ottawa will release a framework for the standard in summer 2017.