This consultation was open from:
May 5, 2017
to June 19, 2017
Decision summary
Ontario launched the Agrifood Renewable Natural Gas for Transportation Program in December 2017 as a one-year pilot.
Decision details
The Agrifood Renewable Natural Gas for Transportation Program was an initiative developed under the Climate Change Action Plan which was launched as a pilot to test the interest in renewable fuel production and switching from diesel fuel.
The cost-share funding was delivered by the Ontario Centres of Excellence and it supported three projects:
- $600,000 to expand an existing biogas system to include production of renewable natural gas destined for the transportation market.
- $775,000 towards the construction of a natural gas fuelling station at a truck stop on Highway 401 that will include renewable natural gas.
- $200,000 to Ontario Centres of Excellence to deliver the program.
- Development of a greenhouse gas emission quantification tool for renewable natural gas producers and users to objectively quantify expected greenhouse gas emissions.
The program was terminated after its first year by Minister’s Order 0009/2018.
Effects of consultation
The Ministry released a discussion document to stimulate ideas and gather suggestions to support the production and utilization of renewable natural gas for a transportation fuel. There is growing adoption of natural gas over diesel fuel for heavy transport since it reduces fuel costs, has technical advantages, reduces atmospheric pollution, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Renewable natural gas is being produced in the United States and Europe to reduce the fossil fuel content of the natural gas to significantly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions even further. A program goal was to demonstrate successful business models for the adoption of renewable natural gas production and utilization as a transportation fuel in Ontario.
There was extensive engagement and input from across the natural gas, biogas, transportation, and agricultural sectors, as well as from the general public and local governments. The feedback included:
- statements of support;
- identification of barriers;
- areas of need; and
- suggestions for consideration.
The comments addressed production, distribution, marketing, and utilization of renewable natural gas as a transportation fuel. Many comments raised issues about limited natural gas infrastructure in parts of Ontario, costs, and regulatory burden.
Partially as a result of the discussion document consultation of the proposed program, the following change was made:
- The program was launched as a pilot for one year to test the feasibility of developing renewable natural gas projects for transportation fuel.
The program was terminated after year one and the projects were completed.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
1 Stone Road West
5th floor, Northwest
Guelph,
ON
N1G 4Y2
Canada
Connect with us
Contact
Chris Duke
1 Stone Road West
3rd Floor SE
Guelph,
ON
N1G 4Y2
Canada
Original proposal
Proposal details
Description of policy
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is seeking feedback on a Discussion Document to understand the level of interest in production and use of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) as transportation fuel.
Purpose of policy
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) is developing a proposal entitled ‘Agrifood Renewable Natural Gas for Transportation Demonstration Program’ as part of a possible program under Ontario’s Climate Change Action Plan.
OMAFRA is seeking feedback on a Discussion Document to understand the level of interest in production and use of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) as transportation fuel; potential program participants; the business relationships that might be necessary for program success; possible barriers to project development; and other activities that might require government support in order to enable broader uptake of RNG for transportation.
The proposed Agrifood Renewable Natural Gas for Transportation Demonstration Program could help the agri-food sector transition to a lower carbon economy by investing in actions to make it easier to access new low-carbon transportation technologies.
The proposed program could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by diverting organic waste from landfills to renewable fuel production, harvesting energy from agricultural and food-based materials, and promoting the adoption and use of low-carbon fuel. Together, these actions could help minimize impacts on business costs and enhance competitiveness.
Developing RNG production and natural gas fuelling infrastructure to enable RNG transportation fuelling, and demonstrating the necessary business relationships and economic outcomes, can help kick-start this low-carbon business model.
Converting transportation fuel use from diesel to conventional natural gas could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 15%. Using RNG instead of conventional natural gas could reduce greenhouse gas emissions even more.
Public consultation
This proposal was posted for a 45 day public review and comment period starting May 05, 2017. Comments were to be received by June 19, 2017.
All comments received during the comment period are being considered as part of the decision-making process by the Ministry.
Please Note: All comments and submissions received have become part of the public record.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
1 Stone Road West
5th floor, Northwest
Guelph,
ON
N1G 4Y2
Canada
Comment
Commenting is now closed.
This consultation was open from May 5, 2017
to June 19, 2017
Connect with us
Contact
Chris Duke
1 Stone Road West
5th floor, Northwest
Guelph,
ON
N1G 4Y2
Canada
Comments received
Through the registry
9By email
26By mail
0