OTTAWA, Ont.-- August 9, 2011 -- Today, the Honorable Peter Kent, Canada's Environment Minister, released a consultation paper on the development of proposed regulations to limit greenhouse gas emissions from new on-road heavy-duty vehicles. Canada and the United States are taking a common North American approach and Canada intends to implement regulations with the 2014 model year in alignment with the United States.
"We are moving forward with our sector by sector approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in coordination with the United States," said Minister Kent. "Building on our successful collaboration with the United States on the development of common North American standards for light-duty vehicles, we are also working together to do the same for heavy-duty vehicles."
This consultation paper is intended to provide another opportunity for interested parties to submit early comments prior to publishing proposed regulations in Canada Gazette Part I. Proposed regulations are targeted for publication in Canada Gazette Part I early in 2012 for a 60-day comment period.
The proposed regulations would seek to reduce emissions and improve the fuel efficiency of the whole range of new on-road heavy-duty vehicles from full-size pick-up trucks to tractor-trailers, and include a wide variety of vocational vehicles such as freight, delivery, service, cement, garbage and dump trucks, as well as buses. The proposed regulations would also seek to promote the implementation of advanced technology vehicles such as hybrid and electric vehicles.
Reducing emissions in the transportation sector is a key component in the Government's plan to reduce total greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent from 2005 levels by 2020. In addition to the proposed heavy-duty regulations, the Government has also finalized regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from passenger vehicles and mandated a requirement for an average of five percent renewable content in gasoline, and two percent content for diesel and heating oil.
Related Link:
Consultation Document for Discussion of the Main Elements of the Proposed Regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 to Limit Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New On-Road Heavy-Duty Vehicles and Engines
For more information, please contact:
Melissa Lantsman
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441
Media Relations
Environment Canada
819-934-8008
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