According to a new poll, three in four British Columbians support BC鈥檚 renewable and low carbon fuels regulation.
Under the regulation, transportation fuels sold in BC must have renewable content (5% in gasoline and 4% in diesel) and 10% less carbon content by 2020. This regulation has been in force since 2010 with no negative impact on fuel price or performance, and important reductions in tailpipe emissions and greenhouse gas pollution.
The Ipsos Reid poll of 800 British Columbians shows that a significant majority (75%) support the renewable and low carbon fuel regulation.
The top reasons for support centre on benefits to the environment and the need to start using alternative/renewable energy sources. The poll asked respondents what they believed was important to know about the regulation; their responses showed interest in all categories of information presented to them, but 鈥榬enewable fuels are proven to work in today鈥檚 engines鈥� and 鈥榗onsumers in BC have increased fuel options鈥� emerged as most important to know. Respondents also rated highly the need to know that the regulation 鈥榠ncreased competition amongst fuel suppliers and helped to moderate fuel price increases鈥� and that it 鈥榬esulted in the elimination of greenhouse gas emissions.鈥�
The BC regulation delivered 25% (905,000 tonnes) of the province鈥檚 greenhouse gas reductions in 2012. It also created more competition in the fuels market, with increased use of biodiesel, ethanol, electricity and natural gas for cars and trucks.
The introduction of ethanol and biodiesel into the in BC fuels market has gone mostly un-noticed; only 10% of respondents said they were 鈥榗learly aware鈥� of the regulation. Once respondents had reviewed more detailed information about the regulation, the intensity of support increased, with the proportion indicating that they 鈥榮trongly support鈥� the regulation increasing from 24% to 30%. This highlights the opportunity for the BC government and other climate action advocates to more broadly publicise the regulation鈥檚 benefits to British Columbians.
Thanks to the BC regulation, alternative fuels such as biodiesel and ethanol are now used across BC. Biodiesel produced in Canada is, creating jobs at home and reducing dependency on fossil fuels. With 59% to 96% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than diesel, and cleaner tailpipe emissions, Canadian biodiesel is a significant contributor to clean urban air and BC鈥檚 climate action leadership.
In British Columbia, the public strongly endorses action by the province to open up access to renewable and low carbon fuel alternatives for all consumers.
Adapted from press release by