Canadian Legislative Issues

Effective April 1, Ontario’s new greener diesel rules are playing a key role in helping to fight climate change and improve air quality by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in various modes of transportation, including cars and trucks.

The new rules are being phased in over the next three years. Come 2017, it is projected that greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by approximately 600,000 tonnes a year, which is equivalent to removing 140,000 cars from Ontario’s roads.

With the new rules in place, the amount of biofuel blended into regular diesel must average at least four per cent by the year 2017. In addition, greenhouse gasses must be reduced by at least thirty percent this year, and seventy percent by 2017, for the biofuel component of the new blend.

The transportation sector is the largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in Ontario. Greener diesel is a composite of petroleum diesel and renewable biofuel made from feedstocks such as canola and soy oils, animal fats, and recycled cooking oils. The blend can be used in cars, trucks, and other types of engines without adaptation.