One of Canada’s most effective and high profile promoters of biofuel is leaving the industry to work for the Conservative party.
Kory Teneycke, executive director of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association, leaves the association in late October to join the Conservative Resource Group that works on Parliament Hill to research issues for the government and Conservative MPs.
He will be director of the group.
For the past four years, he has been the driving force behind successful lobbying of Canadian federal and provincial governments to implement policies supporting biofuel development.
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It culminated in a Conservative government announcement of more than $2 billion in incentives to help the industry grow. It insisted that by 2010, ethanol comprise at least five percent of gasoline sold in Canada and that two percent of diesel be oilseed-based biodiesel by 2012.
“Kory was a big part of several milestone achievements for biofuels in Canada,” CRFA chair Bliss Baker said Sept. 14.
CRFA public affairs director Robin Speer said in an interview that Teneycke was a key force for the political advance of the industry.
“He has been central to the association and he has worked hard with all parties and governments at both levels to get the policies the industry needs,” he said. “He was very effective.”
Under his leadership, the association grew from a few small ethanol producers to a broad, powerful lobby. During those years, ethanol production increased to more than one billion litres expected this year from 230 million litres in 2003.
Mandatory biofuel requirements are expected to triple the supply within three years.
Speer said pressure will have to be maintained on governments to make sure they follow through with their biofuel support promises.
A replacement executive director will be hired to direct the continuing campaign.
Meanwhile, with his decision to join the Conservative party research office, Teneycke returns to his political roots.
In the 1990s, he spent four years working as a senior organizer for Reform party leader Preston Manning in Ottawa before moving to Toronto to manage energy and environment files for Ontario Conservative premier Mike Harris.
