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Greener diesel regulation

Overview

By law, Ontario requires fuel companies to provide more environmentally friendly diesel fuels, known as bio-based diesel fuels. This helps:

  • reduce air pollutants
  • improve air quality
  • cut greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector — the largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in Ontario

What is bio-based diesel fuel

There are 2 types commonly available:

  1. Biodiesel is a clean-burning renewable fuel made from vegetable oils, recycled frying oils, and animal fats. A vehicle using biodiesel-blended diesel emits lower amounts of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. You can use biodiesel-blended diesel fuel as you would diesel fuel, however, your vehicle may need additional maintenance.
  2. Renewable diesel is made from the same materials as biodiesel but it is processed differently. It is almost the same chemically as regular diesel. You can use it anywhere you would use regular diesel.

New diesel rules

Ontario is introducing rules to lower the environmental impact of diesel fuel. These rules will reduce air pollutants, improve air quality and cut greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector (the largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in Ontario).

New bio-based diesel requirements

The province has set minimums for the amount of bio-based diesel in the diesel fuel distributed, used, and/or sold in Ontario.

The content requirements will be phased-in over 3 years from 2014 to 2017. The first compliance period spans 21 months, beginning April 1, 2014 and ending December 31, 2015. Subsequent periods follow the calendar year. The requirements are as follows:

In 2014/15, 2% of the total volume of diesel fuel must be bio-based. The bio-based diesel component of this blend must have 30% lower greenhouse gas emissions than standard petroleum diesel.

In 2016, 3% of the total volume of diesel fuel must be bio-based. The bio-based diesel component of this blend must have 50% lower greenhouse gas emissions than standard petroleum diesel.

In 2017, 4% of the total volume of diesel fuel must be bio-based. The bio-based diesel component of this blend must have 70% lower greenhouse gas emissions than standard petroleum diesel.

Compliance reports

Under these new rules, suppliers must also complete and file compliance reports.

Reports are due by March 31 of the year following the compliance period. For example, you must file by March 31, 2017 for the 2016 compliance year.

Your report must confirm:

  • the amount of diesel and bio-based diesel in diesel fuel that you have placed in the Ontario market
  • the environmental performance specifications of the bio-based diesel.

You must keep a copy of your compliance reports and related records for 7 years. The document, Guide and Director’s Directions – Renewable Fuel Content Requirements for Petroleum Diesel Fuel, can help you complete your report.

How to submit a report

E-mail us to request the latest reporting form.

You can return the form via E-mail or mail it to:

Assistant Director, West Central Region
Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change
Ellen Fairclough Building
12th Floor, 119 King St W
Hamilton ON L8P 4Y7
Re: Ontario Regulation 97/14 (Greener Diesel)

Who must comply

Fuels suppliers who:

  • import diesel fuel into the province — and use or sell it in Ontario (wholesale or retail)
  • manufacture or blend diesel fuel — and use or sell it in Ontario (wholesale or retail)
  • acquire diesel fuel through an inter-refiner agreement — and use or sell it in Ontario (wholesale or retail)

Source law

You can find a complete set of provincial laws related to this activity in:

Quality standard requirements

You must ensure your blended fuel meets certain standards before it’s distributed – for use or sale – in the Ontario market.

  1. For low-level (0-5%) bio-based diesel blends, the latest standards are set out in:Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) standard CAN/CGSB – 3.520-2011 – Automotive Diesel Fuel Containing Low Levels of Biodiesel (B1-B5)
  2. For mid-level (6-20%) bio-based diesel blends, standards are set out in:Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) standard CAN/CGSB – 3.522-2011 – Diesel Fuel Containing Biodiesel (B6-B20)American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard ASTM – D7467-13 – Standard Specification for Diesel Fuel Oil, Biodiesel Blend (B6 to B20)
  3. For high-level (21-100%) bio-based diesel blends, standards are set out in:Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) document CAN/CGSB – 3.524-2011 – Biodiesel (B100) for Blending in Middle Distillate FuelsAmerican Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) document ASTM – D6751-12 – Standard Specification for Biodiesel Fuel Blend Stock B100 for Middle Distillate Fuels
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