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Framework for cleaner fuels charts the right course for Canada

Photo by: Robert Couse-Baker

VANCOUVER—Environment and Climate Change Canada today released its Clean Fuel Standard Regulatory Design Paper. Jeremy Moorhouse, senior analyst at Clean Energy Canada, said the following in response:

“The Clean Fuel Standard is one of Canada’s most important climate change policies—cutting more pollution than any other federal measure—so it’s important to get the details right. On balance, we think the regulatory design being proposed is the right approach, as it’s informed by similar, successful policies from other jurisdictions, including British Columbia.

“The focus on transportation fuels provides a clear signal to investors that Canada needs an increased supply of cleaner fuels, from renewable fuels to electricity and hydrogen.

“Producing cleaner fuel is a significant economic opportunity. Our research shows that a strong Clean Fuel Standard would drive $5.6 billion a year in economic activity and create up to 31,000 jobs for workers building, supplying, and operating new clean fuel facilities.”

KEY FACTS

  • The federal government announced the Clean Fuel Standard on November 25, 2016, as part of its Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.

  • The standard aims to reduce carbon pollution by 30 MTCO2eq, equivalent to removing seven-million gasoline cars from the road. The regulatory design paper requires three-quarters of those reductions to come from liquid fuels like gasoline or diesel.

  • Environment and Climate Change Canada is considering criteria to protect against adverse land impacts for renewable fuels, to ensure Canada is not only reducing carbon pollution but also protecting our air, land, and water.

  • Environment and Climate Change Canada plans to publish a draft regulation in 2019 and a final regulation by 2020.

  • B.C., California, and Oregon all use versions of the Clean Fuel Standard to cut carbon pollution from their transportation sectors.

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