OTTAWA, Ontario – The Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA) welcomed the release today of the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development report, The Management of Municipal Solid Waste and Industrial Materials. The report’s recommendations recognize the importance of renewable fuels technology in solving environmental problems like waste management in Canada.
“This report confirms that our industry and the government share common goals for advancing clean technology and reducing waste,” said Andrea Kent, CRFA President. “Advanced biofuels like cellulosic ethanol solve multiple environmental problems at once, diverting waste from our landfills and producing clean-burning fuels that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This report highlights the important work renewable fuels producers are doing across Canada to develop and commercialize critical, breakthrough technologies.”
CRFA was pleased to have the opportunity to appear before the Committee and supports the Committee’s recommendations for the federal government’s continued support for the commercialization of new technologies that will improve waste management and the use of cellulosic fuel.
Technologies to produce cellulosic biofuels in Canada exist but domestic producers face steep competition from other jurisdictions. To help drive production and consumption of these cutting-edge fuels in Canada, CRFA proposes exempting cellulosic biofuels from the current excise tax on fuel. Presently, the federal excise tax (FET) on gasoline is 10 cents per litre. As demonstrated with similar treatment of other commodities, this relatively small tax measure will encourage domestic production, retain cellulosic biofuels in Canada, and ensure economic and environmental benefits accrue locally – where it matters most.
Source: CRFA