OTTAWA, ONTARIO, Mar 28, 2006 -- CCNMatthews

 

The Canadian Renewable Fuels Association today released a new study by international commodities research firm F.O. Licht that shows Canada lags behind the world leaders in renewable fuels production and consumption.

"This report should be a wake up call for Canada," said Kory Teneycke, Executive Director of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association. "We lag behind the world in an emerging new industry where we have the feedstock and infrastructure to be global leaders."

The F.O. Licht study notes that biofuels consumption in Canada has "been quite low." In 2004, (the latest available comparative figures) total ethanol production and consumption in Canada amounted to approximately 250 million litres, or just "0.7% of the country's total gasoline consumption." Limited industrial biodiesel production in Canada began in late 2005.

The report does however note that in the 2005 federal election both the federal Conservatives and the federal Liberals promised to implement a "Renewable Fuels Standard" (RFS) of 5% by 2010. If the RFS is implemented along with three new provincial biofuel initiatives, this could raise Canada's production of renewable fuels to 1.4 billion litres by 2007 and 3.1 billion litres by 2010 - a twelve fold increase from today.

"Implementing the Renewable Fuels Standard is a unique opportunity for this upcoming session of Parliament. In a minority situation it should have the support of all Parties in the House of Commons," says Tim Haig, Chair of the Board of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association.

Renewable fuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, will lower emissions, reduce greenhouse gases, provide a hedge against rising fuel prices, and create sustainable jobs in rural Canada.

Founded in 1994, the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA) is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote renewable fuels for transportation through consumer awareness and government liaison activities. The CRFA membership is comprised of representatives from all levels of the ethanol and biodiesel industry, including: corn and cellulose ethanol producers, biodiesel producers, fuel technology researchers, agricultural associations, and environmental organizations concerned with air quality and greenhouse gases.

SOURCE: Canadian Renewable Fuels Association

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