A new government mandate requires two per cent biofuel content for heating oil and diesel sold in Canada

The Canadian Environment Minister Peter Kent announced the mandate to be active from this month, to help reduce the country's greenhouse gas emissions by 17 per cent by 2020.

Kent said, "Our Government will continue to ensure that protecting our environment, while balancing economic growth and prosperity remains our priority". The new mandate envisions the reduction of harmful emissions by the equivalent of removing one million cars from the roads.
But the new mandate goes beyond just the environment. Kent explains that mandating minimum renewable fuel contents would also strengthen the nation's biofuel industry, boosting demand for feed stocks like canola and ensuring a stronger bottom line for farmers.
The new mandate follows the December 2010 regulation requiring all gasoline sold in Canada to have a five per cent average renewable fuel content. According to Kent, these regulations will form an important part of the (federal) government's Renewable Fuels Strategy, and will establish a demand for renewable fuels to help stimulate the Canadian biofuels industry.
As well as Canada, several US states and cities have introduced biofuel requirements for heating oil and diesel to limit the harmful emissions and reduce the nation's reliance on foreign oil imports. US President Barack Obama signalled that renewable fuels and sustainable energy policies would play a key role in America's future energy needs.
With the rising oil prices and environmental concerns becoming more of a priority, renewable energy such as biofuels will become critical to support global energy needs.