Recent News

 

 

 

World Biofuel Leaders React to Food Summit Resolution

June 5th, 2008 

Ottawa, ON: Leaders from the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA), the European Bioethanol Fuel Association (eBio), and the Renewable Fuels Association today welcomed the thoughtful approach world leaders took in assessing biofuels' role in the current world food crisis. The following is their joint statement:

"We welcome today's UN FAO proposal to undertake further study of biofuels in agriculture. We are confident it will underscore the valuable contribution biofuels can make to ease the energy and agriculture challenges confronting all nations.

 

"Faced with record high oil prices and a variety of other challenges to the ready and equitable supply of food to all peoples, it is now time to move toward sustainable solutions. Our industry recognizes that the production of biofuels provides both opportunities and challenges. We are eager to play our full part in securing a comprehensive, coordinated and, most effective strategy to ensuring both food and energy security around the world.

"Our industries have long recognized the importance of growing crops for both food and fuel and the need to improve sustainability. The biofuels industry and many governments are investing in the development of new methods and technologies to convert wood chips, farm waste, switch grass, municipal waste and other cellulosic materials into biofuel. The very same industry leaders who pioneered the first generation of biofuels produced from sugar cane and grains are leading investment and development of these exciting second generation processes.

"It is reassuring that leaders of the World Food Summit also understand the detrimental impact of high oil prices on the cost of producing and transporting food. Of particular note was the statement by Henrietta H. Fore, administrator of the United States Agency for International Development who pointed out that transportation costs now consume fifty per cent of its food budget.

"The growing recognition that increased use of biofuels is helping world economies address the dire impacts of record oil prices by reducing oil consumption over a million barrels of oil a day and by lessening global warming emissions is also welcome. But the industry believes that even more can be achieved.

"Moving forward, we hope that the leaders of the G8 summit meeting in Japan next month will seriously consider the World Food Summit's measured approach to biofuels and agree on the continued need to advance the world's biofuels industry.

"Working together with farmers, governments and international aid agencies, the renewable fuels sector is eager to explore ways to help meet the major challenges that confront people in both the developed and developing world, including food production and distribution, and the development of a less costly and more eco-friendly alternative to petroleum."

Founded in 1994, the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA) is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote the use of renewable fuels for transportation through consumer awareness and government liaison activities.

Visit us at www.greenfuels.org

 

 

HOUSE OF COMMONS PASSES MILESTONE BIOFUELS BILL

 

May 28th, 2008 

Ottawa, ON:  In a milestone decision today, the House of Commons overwhelmingly passed a bill that will implement a national Renewable Fuel Standard, requiring ethanol and biodiesel blended transportation fuels in Canada.  It is the first legislation of its kind in Canada.
"Today, the House of Commons voted to grow beyond oil.  Thanks to this vote, we will lower greenhouse gas emissions, provide new opportunities for Canadian farmers, and bring about competition at the pump.  With oil and gas prices at record highs, the case for viable alternatives to petroleum has never been stronger." - Gordon Quaiattini, President, Canadian Renewable Fuels Association. 

"GM Canada welcomes the new Canadian legislative support for renewable biofuels that provide significant GHG reduction benefits.  GM offers consumers the largest selection of flexible fuel vehicles that can operate seamlessly on 85% ethanol blends (E85) or regular gasoline." - David Paterson, Vice President Corporate and Environmental Affairs, General Motors of Canada Ltd
 
"Natural Resources Canada's GHGenius lifecycle model finds that the renewable fuel standard as outlined in Bill C-33 will result in a 4.2 megatonne reduction in harmful greenhouse gas emissions - the equivalent of removing over one million cars and their CO2 emissions from Canadian roads, every year."
- Don O'Connor, President, S&T squared Consultants, and developer of the GHGenius LCA model.
 
"Passage of the biofuels bill and the Renewable Fuel Standard in Canada is a critical development for next generation biofuels such as cellulosic ethanol.  This vote represents a vote for next generation biofuels.  The House today has shown leadership in passing this bill." - Jeff Passmore, Executive Vice President, Iogen Corporation.
 
"This legislation will help ensure the development of a Canadian biofuels sector which will provide strong environmental benefits and creates a valuable market for us." - Ross Ravelli, President, Grain Growers of Canada. 
 
"The passage of this bill means new markets for Canadian canola growers, more value-added processing here at home, and it means new jobs created and the revitalization of rural communities right across Canada.  It also means choice and diversity for drivers, and new and cleaner sources of fuel supply in the diesel fuel pool." - Brian Chorney, President, Canadian Canola Growers Association.
 
"Biofuel plants provide Canadian farmers with another valuable market option in many rural communities.  The growth of a biofuel industry will reduce our dependency on shipping grain long distances by rail and will help keep a lid on fuel pump prices for all Canadians." - Cherilyn Jolly-Nagel, President, Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association.
 
"Canada's soybean industry welcomes the neutral feedstock approach taken to biodiesel in Bill C-33.  Soybeans are a diverse crop and Canadian soybean producers are adaptable to the needs of the market and this is another market for us to tap into." - Jim Gowland, Chair, Canadian Soybean Council.
 
"With world corn prices having been very low for decades, ethanol production in Canada allows us to stay away from high transport cost export markets and improve the return on our hard-laboured product.  Using the starch from corn to make ethanol will help lower harmful GHG emissions and moderate the price at the pump for Quebec drivers, while the distillers grains co-product from ethanol will help provide a valuable high-protein feed for Quebec livestock producers.  We commend the federal MPs who support Quebec farmers and rural communities by voting for Bill C-33." - Christian Overbeek, President, Fédération des producteurs de cultures commerciales du Québec.

Parliament has shown great leadership today in bringing a big boost for biodiesel and other renewable fuels in Canada.  This is a huge win for Canadians today.  With diesel prices at an all-time high, trucks, boats, buses, and all diesel drivers will finally have choice at the pump now, paving the way for even greener and less expensive renewable fuels in the near future." - Tim Haig, President and CEO, BIOX Corporation (Canada's largest biodiesel producer), and Chair, Canadian Renewable Fuels Association

Founded in 1994, the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA) is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote the use of renewable fuelsfor transportation through consumer awareness and government liaison activities.

Visit us at www.greenfuels.org

 

Fuel Food Reality Check

Ottawa, ON: Here are the facts on recent increases in fuel and food.

FACT

Over the past year, oil prices have jumped by nearly 100%.

· In 2007, food prices increased by about 4% overall.

· In 2007, the same year the U.S. produced a record amount of ethanol from corn, the U.S. increased it surplus of corn to more than 1.4 billion bushels. In a record ethanol year, the U.S. actually fed more of the world by increasing its exports of corn by 6%.

· Food marketing costs now account for 80% of the cost of food. Marketing costs are the difference between the farm value and consumer spending for food at grocery stores and restaurants.

· Corn accounts for less than 5% of the price a box of corn flakes.

· The price of rice is now up 77% since October. Rice is not used is the production of biofuels. Corn for ethanol cannot be grown in rice paddies.

· As a whole, fish prices are up. Fuel prices account for approximately 60%-70% of operating costs of fishermen. Fish are not used in the production of biofuels.

· An increasing amount of biofuels are produced from nontraditional feedstocks such as waste products from the beverage, food, and forestry industries. In the very near future, biofuels will be produced from agricultural residues such as grain straw, sugarcane bagasse, corn stover, municipal solid waste, and energy crops such as switch grass and algae.

Founded in 1994, the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA) is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote the use of renewable fuels for transportation through consumer awareness and government liaison activities.

Visit us at www.greenfuels.org

 

 

CANADIANS SUPPORT FUELING CHANGE WITH BIOFUELS

National Poll Shows Overwhelming Support for Ethanol and Biodiesel Fuels

PRESS RELEASE
April 30, 2008 

Ottawa, ON:  A new nationwide poll shows that Canadians overwhelmingly support the national renewable fuels strategy to blend biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel in Canada's fuel supply.

 

The national Praxicus Public Strategies Inc. poll conducted April 23-27 shows that 74% support the 5% national standard for ethanol and the 2% national standard for biodiesel, and a further 67% support increasing the national renewable fuel blend to 10% and 5% respectively.

 

"This poll shows that Canadians are looking to renewable fuels to fuel change across the country," said Gordon Quaiattini, President of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association.  "Canadians clearly support replacing some of our fossil fuels with renewable fuels such as biodiesel and ethanol. This will pay a variety of dividends: A cleaner, greener and more affordable source of energy that will strengthen economic prospects across Canada."

 

The poll also shows that 69% of Canadians strongly believe that we need to grow beyond oil by developing environmentally friendly and viable alternatives to fossil fuels. Indeed, according to a recent report from Merrill Lynch if not for biofuels, crude oil would be trading 15% higher and gasoline would be as much as 25% more expensive.

 

Canadian government studies and peer reviewed research show that ethanol and biodiesel are scientifically proven to reduce green houses gases compared to fossil fuels.

 

Currently in Canada we are able to produce roughly one billion litres of ethanol and 100 million litres of biodiesel.  By no later than 2012 that is expected to increase to more than 2.5 billion litres of ethanol and more than 500 million litres of  biodiesel.  The renewable fuels industry is investing more than $1.5 billion in building production capacity in Canada and is helping to create 10,000 direct and indirect jobs and generating $600 million in annual economic activity. 

 

"With oil at $120 a barrel, the case for viable alternatives to fossil fuels has never been stronger," concluded Quaiattini. "Ethanol, biodiesel, cellulosic ethanol and next generation biofuels are our best hope to grow beyond oil with cleaner fuels and provide some relief for Canadian consumers at the pump."

 

Visit us at www.greenfuels.org

 

 

Recipe for a Food and Fuel Smear Campaign

 

April 28, 2008  

 

By Rick Tolman

Chief Executive Officer

National Corn Growers Association

 

Hey kids! Looking for a quick and easy way to deceive the public about the price of food while trying to limit exposure on the core issue of transportation costs? Want to confuse consumers and spread outlandish lies? You can do this and more in just five easy steps. Here's how:

 

1. Make sure the oil and energy industry fills your board of directors. This is an essential first step if you are going to be successful in your smear campaign. After all, their pockets are deep enough to fund junk science, resurrect has-been spokespersons and infuse every facet of the American media landscape with propaganda.

 

2. Write a press release decrying the use of ethanol and calling for rollback of the renewable fuels standard that provides a domestic solution for America's energy woes; puts money back into the economy through job creation; and is environmentally friendly by reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Be sure you conveniently ignore the fact that ethanol is eating into your outrageous profits. And don't forget to skip over the fact that without ethanol blended fuel saves consumers could be paying 15 percent more for their fuel.

 

3. Make sure you get on national television so all your friends can see you. Be sure and distort the facts on how nearly $120-barrel oil has woven its way throughout every facet our economy and is contributing to the collapse of airlines, squeezing over-the-road truckers who are dealing with more than a 50 percent increase in their fuel and wreaking havoc on other industries that rely on transportation.

 

4. Distract the American public from the $128 billion profits of the oil industry you serve so well with smoke and mirrors. Smoke and mirrors is one of the most important steps in a smear campaign. This step might be bit tricky, though, especially as the price of that barrel of oil breaks records almost daily. In fact, the public might even remember that in 1999 a barrel of oil cost $10, the price of lunch today. To distract Americans, make sure you find a spokesperson willing to spout off that biofuels are a crime against humanity. To mix things up even more, make sure you confuse the issue of rising American food prices with global hunger; even the two are not related.  Be sure to obscure the fact that of the world's 47 poorest nations, 38 are net oil importers and consume much of their national income to pay for it.

 

Plus, kids, the smoke and mirrors step is fun! There are all sorts of variations on this step. For example, make unfounded attacks on agriculture and the environment. That way the public might not notice the environmental, financial and social costs in a world driven by the search for more oil.

 

5. Repeat steps 1 through 4. By this time, the media will be in full gear chasing down your exciting lies. And maybe, just maybe, they'll miss reports from true experts that haven't tried the Food and Fuel Smear Campaign Recipe--reports such the Congressional Research Service's "Oil Industry Profit Review 2007" and  its report "Food Price Inflation: Causes and Impacts";  or Texas A&M's "The Effects of Ethanol on Texas Food and Feed"; or the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development's "Impact of Ethanol on U.S. and Regional Gas Prices and on the Profitability of the U.S. Oil Refining Industry"; or John Urbanchuk's "The Impact of Gasoline Prices in Missouri"; or Argonne National Lab's "Analysis of the Efficiency of the U.S. Ethanol Industry 2007."

 

Cooking up trouble takes time and effort, kids, and there is one caution: Where there's smoke there's fire. You might get burned. After all, the American public isn't stupid.

 

http://www.ncga.com/news/OurView/2008/042508.asp

Founded in 1994, the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA) is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote the use of renewable fuels for transportation through consumer awareness and government liaison activities.

 Visit us at www.greenfuels.org

 

 

 

Canada’s Largest Renewable Diesel Demonstration Launches

 

 

 

January 22, 2008  

Edmonton, Alberta – Canada’s largest cold-weather, on-road demonstration of renewable diesel

officially launched today. The Alberta Renewable Diesel Demonstration, managed by Climate Change

Central, comes after months of laboratory testing of various fuel feedstocks and production processes.  

 

Over 60 trucks of various sizes have hit the road throughout Alberta, as its climate poses some of

the most extreme challenges to renewable diesel use.  The demonstration will provide hands-on,

cold-weather experience for fuel blenders, distributors, long-haul trucking fleets and drivers. 

“The demonstration consists of a diverse group of stakeholders working to broaden understanding

of how best to maximize the benefits of renewable diesel in Canada,” says John Rilett, Director

with Climate Change Central. “The demonstration findings will provide valuable information

towards the development of sound government policy in Canada.”

 

 

The federal government has announced plans to implement a Renewable Fuels Standard requiring

two per cent renewable content in the Canadian diesel supply by 2012.  The standard is dependent

upon the successful demonstration of renewable diesel use under a range of Canadian conditions.

“All partners in the demonstration recognize biofuels will play an important role in Canada’s long-term

fuel supply and therefore welcome this opportunity to build knowledge about blending infrastructure

and fuel delivery,” says Rilett.

 

 

The Canadian and Alberta governments are investing $2.6 million into this project.  Shell Canada is

the demonstration’s ultra low sulphur diesel supplier and the renewable diesel blender and distributor

through the project’s temporary facility being operated by Shell Canada at its Sherwood Terminal.

Additional sponsors and supporters include the Canola Council of Canada, Canadian Petroleum

Products Institute, Canadian Renewable Fuels Association, Canadian Bioenergy, Neste Oil and

Milligan BioTech.

 

 

The demonstration included a lab testing phase and is now going beyond the laboratory to put

renewable diesel through typical on-road use by trucking companies.  Participating trucking

companies include: Rosenau Transport Ltd., Hi-Way 9, First Bus Canada and Gibson

Energy Ltd.

 

Road testing began in late 2007 and will continue until October 2008.

 

For more information, please contact:

John Rilett, Climate Change Central

(403) 517-2730

 

 

 

 

 

Cummins announces approval of B20 biodiesel blends

Canada's Canola Industry Applauds Government's Commitment to Biodiesel

Measures announced today are the spark needed to ignite a Made-in-Canada biodiesel industry and encourage value- added agricultural economy.

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - March 19, 2007) - Canada's $11 billion canola industry is poised to work with  petroleum companies, distributors, producers and canola growers to create a $1 billion per year biodiesel industry in Canada, thanks to today's budget announcement moving Canada's biodiesel industry towards a competitive production environment with the United States - a key step in ensuring Canadian producers can compete. "Ten years from now, we will look back on this day as the start of a national biodiesel industry in Canada," says Barb Isman, president of the Canola Council of Canada. "Today's announcement will be good for the environment, good for farmers and good for the Canadian economy. While our members would still benefit by shipping canola seed to the U.S., Canada's canola sector wants to build a made-in-Canada biodiesel industry and diversify our operations. Today's budget announcement shows hope that we can do just that, and we congratulate the government for its commitment to starting Canada's national biodiesel engine." In today's budget speech, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said the Harper government will invest $2 billion over seven years to develop Canada's renewable fuel production capacity. Minister Flaherty stated that "this initiative could mean new opportunities for our agriculture products and support for our agriculture industry in the process." Isman commented that the Canadian canola industry looks forward to working out the details of this commitment with the government to ensure that Canadian biodiesel plants are competitive with the United States. Today's budget commitment builds on Conservative government announcements in December 2006 calling for a two per cent biodiesel standard in Canadian fuel by 2012 and $200 million to encourage farmers to invest in biodiesel production, key steps in getting a biodiesel industry off the ground, says Isman. "Still, without government investments to create a more even playing field between Canada and the U.S. there would be no national biodiesel production and manufacturing in Canada. This is a key piece of the puzzle and is a strong invitation to those provinces that have not already done so to follow the federal government and provide the final tax incentives needed for biodiesel production in Canada to take flight." Isman says Canada is following in the footsteps of the European Union and the U.S. where government support for biofuels has led to unprecedented growth in rural economies, and led to strong demand for oilseed production. Isman adds canola is ready to make a Canadian biodiesel industry happen - today. "Over the past 30 years, we have created an $11 billion-a-year industry for canola in Canada and we already ship canola internationally for biodiesel production. We're committed to using that experience to build a national biodiesel industry at home." Canola is the premium, highest quality feedstock for biodiesel production, offering a high oil yield per seed, low levels of saturated fat that benefit cold weather performance and a highly stable oil that results in a cleaner burning fuel. The Canola Council of Canada is a not-for-profit association representing the entire canola industry - growers, input suppliers, researchers, crushers, processors, exporters and marketers.

 

Olds College Biodiesel Facility uses BioFuel Canada equipment. See more at www.oldscollege.ca

 

 

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Congratulations to Rio Valley Biofuels on completing their 3,000,000 litre/year plant and ASTM Certification.

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 BioFuel Canada Ltd. is now offering financing for our Canadian Clients through Irwin Commercial Finance.

Financing is also available for our U.S. customers through our U.S. affiliate. Please contact us for details.

For Canadian Leasing information you can contact:

Bryce McLean

#206, 5718 - 1A Street S.W.

Calgary, AB T2H 0E8

Tel: 403-217-5619 / Toll Free: 877-217-2272

Fax: 403-217-5629 / Toll Free Fax: 877-217-2282

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