‘Show me, don’t tell me’: CleanBC review calls for more made-in-BC biofuels

Advanced Biofuels Canada Association congratulated the province of British Columbia and the independent panel Nov. 26 on the release of Rising to the Moment—Renewing CleanBC to improve affordability, strengthen the economy and ensure a cleaner future.  

The report sends a clear message: to align British Columbia’s energy system with evolving global standards while protecting affordability, the province must accelerate the production and use of made-in-B.C. biofuels. 

“We extend our sincere thanks to co-chairs Merran Smith and Dan Woynillowicz for their thoughtful leadership,” said Fred Ghatala, president of Advanced Biofuels Canada. “Their work is based on an axiom—‘show me, don’t tell me.’ British Columbia’s clean-fuels sector has demonstrated solid results since CleanBC was established in 2018. Tomorrow’s growth will be powered by extending the scope and strength of the province’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard. Recognizing the contributions of past and present governments in establishing these programs, the BC LCFS has avoided more than 27.5 million metric tons of emissions since 2010, driven record uptake of clean fuels, and has supported jobs in communities across the province.”  

A strong call to expand biofuel production, use in British Columbia  

Among the report’s seven priority actions, highlighted is the need to increase production of made-in-B.C. biofuels to meet ongoing low-carbon fuel demand in transportation, marine, rail and aviation sectors.  

The report notes that British Columbia’s energy system depends on abundant, affordable renewable fuels—and liquid biofuels remain essential for hard-to-electrify transportation sectors. 

Key recommendations include: 

• Strengthening the province’s LCFS 2030 target and extending regulatory requirements to 2040 to provide long-term investment certainty.  

• Setting post-2030 LCFS jet-fuel targets that support domestic sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production.   

• Convening a task force with the federal government and industry partners to advance top opportunities for domestic renewable fuel production and government procurement, including air force procurement of locally produced SAF. 

The review underscores that strengthening CleanBC will deliver significant economic benefits for British Columbia.  

The panel notes that policies like the LCFS are proven tools, creating certainty for investors, accelerating innovation and growing British Columbia’s biofuel sector and broader clean-energy economy.  

The panel also stresses that greater policy certainty and predictability are needed to attract private investment and to increase production of made-in-B.C. biofuels.  

“Advanced Biofuels Canada encourages collaboration across party lines to maintain the stability of policies like the LCFS,” Ghatala said. “In today’s conflicted trade environment, clear policy signals protect jobs, attract investment and support strong local economies across British Columbia. Long-term certainty gives businesses the confidence to invest, hire and expand clean-fuel production in the province.”  

Background  

The LCFS is one of British Columbia’s and Canada’s most successful climate policies. 

It avoided more than 27.5 million tons of greenhouse gases (GHGs) since 2010, including 4.9 million tons in 2024.  

British Columbia is the Canadian leader in renewable diesel adoption—over 31 percent renewable fuel content in diesel and almost 10 percent renewable content in gasoline in 2024.  

Under the update CleanBC 2.0 framework, the LCFS was amended to require a 30 percent reduction in carbon intensity of gasoline and diesel fuels by 2030. 

In 2024, the LCFS was expanded to include jet fuel, requiring a 10 percent carbon-intensity reduction by 2030 and renewable blending starting in 2028.  

The LCFS program attracted new investment and supported clean-fuel production jobs in Prince George, Burnaby and Delta.