Manitoba Government Working On Amendments To Biofuels Mandates

By Lynn L. Bergeson

The government of Manitoba, Canada, is currently working to amend three regulations under the Biofuels Act. The amendments will update Manitoba’s clean fuel standards by increasing the ethanol and renewable fuel content in gasoline. The proposed amendments include:

• “Ethanol General Regulation is amended to:
   
  • Include the latest fuel standards for ethanol blended gasoline;
     
  • Remove the quarterly reporting requirements of obligated entities; and
     
  • Increase ethanol content from 8.5% to 10%.
     
• Biodiesel Mandate for Diesel Fuel Regulation is amended to:
   
  • Increase renewable fuel content of diesel from 2% to 5%;
     
  • Adjust the compliance formula to reflect the 5% blending requirement; and
     
  • Adjust the shortfall calculation to reflect the 5% blending requirement, and to increase the penalty amount from $0.45 to $1.50 per litre.
     
• Biodiesel (General) Regulation is amended to:
   
  • Repeal the definition of “non-commercial licence;
     
  • Include the latest fuel standards for biodiesel and renewable diesel sold or offered for sale in Manitoba;
     
  • Include the latest fuel standards for biodiesel blends eligible under the Biodiesel Mandate;
     
  • Remove the non-commercial biodiesel manufacturing licence class;
     
  • Clarify the conditions required to hold a commercial biodiesel manufacturing licence; and
     
  • Remove references to the non-commercial licence class.”
     

The primary public policy objective of Manitoba’s government is to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while increasing renewable fuels use. The regulatory amendments will come into force on January 1, 2021.