Canada’s Minister of Environment Proposes Amendment to Renewable Fuels Regulations

The Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of the Environment, today announced his intention to propose an amendment to the Renewable Fuels Regulations that would see a permanent national exemption from the 2% renewable content requirement in home heating oil, as well as a 6-month extension to the exemption from the 2% renewable content requirement for diesel fuel for Canada's Maritime Provinces.

"The Government of Canada is committed to regulating renewable content in gasoline and diesel fuel, and our regulations will continue to deliver significant GHG reductions," said Minister Kent. "Today's measures will provide flexibility for Maritime Provinces to make adjustments required to comply with the regulations and ensure Canadian families are not penalized for heating their homes with home heating oil."

The Renewable Fuels Regulations, first published on September 2010, also require an average of 5% renewable content in gasoline. The Regulations are a key initiative in support of our commitment to reduce Canada's total greenhouse gas emissions by 17% from 2005 levels by 2020 and are one element of the Government's broader Renewable Fuels Strategy. The permanent exemption for Newfoundland and Labrador from the requirement for 2% renewable content in diesel remains unchanged.