ABFC backs fast-track federal review bill for clean fuel projects

Advanced Biofuels Canada is urging Ottawa to use Bill C-39 to speed approvals for low-carbon energy and clean fuel infrastructure. The group says a faster, more predictable process could unlock investment, cut emissions sooner and strengthen Canada’s role in low-carbon fuels.

Why it matters: - Advanced Biofuels Canada says faster federal reviews could bring clean fuel facilities online sooner. - The group argues that each year saved in approvals could mean earlier emissions cuts and earlier project returns. - The legislation could help Canada turn domestic feedstocks, refining capacity and agricultural expertise into more low-carbon fuel production.

What happened: - Advanced Biofuels Canada Association welcomed Bill C-39, An Act respecting certain measures to strengthen the economy, tabled in the House of Commons on September 21, 2026. - The bill reflects the federal commitment to “one project, one decision, in one year.” - The proposal would move federal assessments, permits and consultations from sequential reviews to concurrent review. - Advanced Biofuels Canada President Fred Ghatala said the association supports the bill’s focus on speed, certainty and predictability.

The details: - The group says emissions reductions come from physical assets, including low-carbon fuel plants and their feedstock supply chains. - Advanced Biofuels Canada says every litre of low-carbon fuel produced and used in Canada can reduce lifecycle emissions. - The association says the bill would be most useful if it helps Canada build low-carbon energy assets at scale. - Canada already has sustainable feedstocks, world-class refining expertise and agricultural expertise. - Canada also has policy supports such as the federal Clean Fuel Regulations and British Columbia’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard. - The bill’s proposed Regions of National Interest for energy corridors and industrial regions could help convert those advantages into domestic production capacity. - Domestically produced low-carbon fuels can help major projects reduce their own emissions footprints. - The fuels can also serve hard-to-abate transportation sectors, including marine, rail and aviation. - ABFC said it wants to work with the Government of Canada and parliamentarians to make sure the framework accelerates clean fuel and low-carbon energy projects alongside other major infrastructure. - Ghatala said clean fuel facilities are long-lived, capital-intensive assets and investors price regulatory risk into them. - Ghatala said a predictable one-year federal decision would lower that risk premium and speed new low-carbon fuels into Canadian markets. - Ghatala also said setting 2040 carbon intensity targets under the Clean Fuel Regulations would give investors a durable demand signal. - The association said the bill could help turn Canada’s natural advantages into economic strength, energy security and measurable emissions reductions.

Between the lines: - ABFC is using the bill to push for a broader industrial strategy, not just faster permitting. - The group’s message is that regulatory certainty is a climate policy tool because it can pull capital into projects that cut emissions. - ABFC is also signaling support for longer-term demand signals, not only faster approvals.

What's next: - ABFC said it will keep working with federal officials and parliamentarians as the new framework moves ahead. - The group wants clean fuel and low-carbon energy projects to be treated as part of Canada’s next wave of major infrastructure. - Investor attention may turn to whether Ottawa adds stronger demand signals, including 2040 carbon intensity targets under the Clean Fuel Regulations. - ABFC says the goal is to speed project investment, grow domestic low-carbon fuel supply and strengthen Canada’s energy position.

The bottom line: - ABFC sees Bill C-39 as a chance to speed approvals, cut emissions sooner and build more low-carbon fuel capacity in Canada.