British Columbia Files LCFS Overhaul

by Elliott Blackburn (Argus Media) British Columbia is proposing low-carbon fuel requirements for marine and aviation fuel and expanding the activities that can generate credits under new legislation updating the province's Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS).

The Canadian province's government yesterday filed legislation that would replace the original 14-year-old enabling legislation for the program, broadening the scope of both credit and deficit generation as well as who may participate in the program.

LCFS programs limit the carbon intensity of transportation fuels to maximum levels that fall each year. Higher-carbon fuels that exceed the annual maximum incur deficits that suppliers must offset with credits generated by distributing approved lower-carbon alternative fuels. The BC-LCFS requires a 20pc reduction in fuel carbon intensity by 2030.

The new legislation would replace a bill passed in 2008 and allow for regulations expanding the program. Proposed changes include requiring reductions to the carbon intensity of jet fuel and marine fuel, which have been contemplated but not yet attempted in existing North American LCFS programs.

The BC-LCFS would expand to accept credits from direct air capture and other carbon sequestration technologies to spur development within the province. The program would also broaden who may generate credits and the obligations on how they are used. READ MORE

Excerpt from Advanced Biofuels Canada/Biobased Diesel Daily: “Parkland has also announced the successful use of residual bio-feedstocks from the province’s rendering forestry sector,” Thomson (Ian Thomson, president of Advanced Biofuels Canada) added. “Our members are rapidly advancing new biobased feedstocks from wastes and residues, and carbon capture technologies, to scale up and decarbonize refined clean fuels. These cleantech innovations will accelerate BC’s transition to a circular economy that keeps wealth in the province, leading to new jobs and a sustainable tax base for communities across BC.” READ MORE