Biodiesel mandate increase needed

The Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA) has released its 2020 vision.

Its 19 page Evolution and Growth document, which establishes a plan to take the industry through to 2020, includes six recommendations for provincial and federal governments on how they can support the biofuel sector.

Scott Thurlow, CRFA president, says: 'These are the pivot points that we think will be important for establishing a green energy superpower here in Canada.'

One of the recommendations urges Ottawa to increase the federal renewable diesel mandate by 0.5 percentage points a year until it reaches 5% by 2020, a 3% rise from today's figure.

The CRFA's action plan also includes supporting government policies on carbon pricing, bridging the funding gap between biofuel innovation and development and exempting cellulosic ethanol from federal and provincial excise taxes of 25 to 30 cents per litre.

CRFA would also like to find an opening in Ottawa that is committed to building Canada's bioeconomy.