Alberta to enact renewable fuel standard

Web exclusive posted Dec. 12, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. CST

Alberta, Canada's Provincial Energy Strategy was announced Dec. 11. The strategy is a long-term action plan designed to help Alberta achieve clean energy production, wise energy use and sustained economic prosperity. As part of this plan, Alberta will adopt a renewable fuel standard.

Alberta's renewable fuel standard will require the inclusion of 5 percent ethanol in gasoline and the inclusion of 2 percent renewable fuel in diesel. The standard is scheduled to take effect in 2010. Four other Canadian provinces have enacted similar renewable fuels standards. In addition, the Canadian government is in the process of implementing a federal renewable fuels standard. That federal standard will also require five-percent ethanol to be included in gasoline by 2010. However, under the federal standard, diesel won't be required to contain two-percent renewable content until 2012.

According to Alberta Energy, the provincial department in charge of energy resources, the renewable fuel standard will help the province meet climate change targets and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It's expected that greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by approximately one million tons annually. Furthermore, the renewable fuel standard will help encourage research and development in the renewable fuels sector, including emerging waste-to-energy technologies.

The Provincial Energy Strategy is designed to encourage the development of renewable energy by exploring ways to add value to Alberta's energy industry. It also seeks to change the energy consumption behavior of both industry and consumers through conservation measures and a review of emissions targets and carbon charges for large industrial facilities. In addition, the plan is intended to help improve innovation through increased investments in research, development, demonstration and deployment of new energy technologies. Finally, the strategy will provide for comprehensive upgrading of the province's electrical system.

Implementation of the strategy will include ongoing reassessment of objectives and strategies, including annual government issued progress reports. For more information on the Provincial Energy Strategy, visit www.energy.gov.ab.ca.