Federal legislation mandating biofuel use in Canada became law June 26.
The Canadian Environmental Protection Act gives the government authority to develop regulations for renewable fuel, mandating a five percent renewable content in gasoline by 2010 and two percent renewable content in diesel fuel and heating oil by 2012.
“With oil at $140 a barrel, the case for viable alternatives to fossil fuels has never been stronger,” said Gordon Quaiattini, president of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association.
“Ethanol, biodiesel, cellulose ethanol and other emerging next generation biofuels are the only viable alternative to fossil fuels in cars and trucks today. This is the start of newer, better and more innovative fuels. This is the start of real choice at the pump.”
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JoAnne Buth, president of the Canola Council of Canada, was also upbeat about the new law.
“We have no doubt that Canadian canola growers can produce the seed needed for a two percent biodiesel inclusion rate in Canada. We are already doing it,” she said.
One million tonnes of canola seed would be required to make up 70 percent of the feedstock for biodiesel production.
The carryover of canola seed has been more than 1.3 million tonnes for each of the last three years.
