VICTORIA — B.C. is furthering its plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by requiring renewable fuel content in its diesel by 2010.

The province’s Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Richard Neufeld introduced the Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Renewable and Low Carbon Fuel Requirements) Act, as part of B.C.’s goal of reducing emissions.

The act creates a regulatory framework that enables the province to set benchmarks for the amount of renewable fuel in B.C.’s transportation fuel blends and meet its commitment to adopt a low-carbon fuel standard similar to California’s.

The required amount will be set in regulation and will fulfill the BC Energy Plan commitment. The BC Energy Plan commits the province to establish a five percent average renewable fuel standard for diesel fuel and gasoline by 2010.

“The Renewable and Low Carbon Fuel Requirements will reduce the environmental impact of transportation fuels and contribute to a new, low-carbon economy,” said Neufeld. “By enabling the government to set new requirements for transportation fuels, this legislation supports B.C.’s goal to lower greenhouse gas emissions 33 percent by 2020.”

The federal government made a similar announcement back in December 2006. Under the national regulations, gasoline would be the same at five percent by 2010, but diesel would not be regulated until 2012 and at two percent.