British Columbia raises biofuels output goal

British Columbia has increased by 15pc its 2030 goal for renewable fuels production in the province, driven by the success of its low-carbon fuel standard (LCFS).

The province aims to produce 1.5bn liters/yr (26,000 b/d) of renewable fuels by 2030, up from its prior goal 1.3bn l/yr, the government said Thursday in a report on its clean energy strategy.

British Columbia's LCFS has driven investment in petroleum alternatives and enabled more ambitious biofuel targets, with the province on track to produce 840mn l/yr of renewable fuels by 2026, according to the report.

The new goal specifically covers renewable liquid fuels like renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel. The province also aims to scale up renewable natural gas and hydrogen, the report said.

British Columbia's LCFS targets a 30pc reduction in the carbon intensity of the diesel and gasoline fuel pools by 2030 as well as a 10pc reduction in the carbon intensity of aviation fuels. The provincial program, which operates alongside new federal requirements, has the toughest reduction targets of any North American LCFS.

LCFS programs require yearly reductions in transportation fuel carbon intensity. Conventional, higher-carbon fuels that exceed annual limits incur deficits that suppliers must offset with credits generated from the distribution of approved, lower-carbon alternatives.

British Columbia justified its renewable fuels goals in the report, arguing that "liquid and gas fuels will remain essential for the foreseeable future" for long-haul transportation, industry, and remote communities with less access to electricity.

A more ambitious domestic production target is also designed to reduce the province's dependence on fuel imports. The only provincial fuel producers are Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure's 12,000 b/d refinery and Tidewater Renewables' 3,000 b/d renewable diesel refinery in Prince George as well as Parkland's 55,000 b/d refinery in Burnaby that co-processes renewable feedstocks with conventional petroleum feedstocks.

By Cole Martin