Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation: proposed changes for 2015

Further to a recent call for evidence on advanced fuels, this consultation seeks views on a number of changes to the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO). These are to:

• support gaseous fuels on the basis of their energy content
• align the treatment of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and fatty acid methyl ester (FAME)
• update certain powers of the RTFO administrator to require information
• clarify that the RTFO administrator can apply mathematical rounding when issuing certificates

Subject to the responses to this consultation, and the parliamentary process, we would make most of these changes from 15 April 2015, the start of the next RTFO annual cycle.

The paper also seeks views on a proposal to expand the RTFO to include synthetic fuels from renewable electricity. Any legislative changes in this area would be introduced at a later legislative opportunity.