Details on Transfer Payment Programs (Exceeding $5 million during the reporting year)

Name of transfer payment program: ecoENERGY for Biofuels (Voted)

Start date: April 1, 2008

End date: March 31, 2017

Description: ecoENERGY for Biofuels supports the production of renewable alternatives to gasoline and diesel and encourages the development of a competitive domestic renewable fuels industry. The program provides an operating incentive to facilities that produce renewable alternatives to gasoline and diesel in Canada, based on production and sales volumes. ecoENERGY for Biofuels will invest up to $1.48 billion over 9 years, which started in April 1, 2008, in support of biofuels production in Canada.

This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.

Strategic outcome(s): 2) Natural Resource Sectors and Consumers are Environmentally Responsible

Results achieved: Since its launch, the ecoENERGY for Biofuels program signed contribution agreements resulting in built production capacity of 1.881 billion litres per year of ethanol against a target of 2 billion litres, and 575 million litres per year of biodiesel against a target of 500 million litres.

Comments on variances: The variance in planned and actual 2012-13 spending is largely due to the fact that biodiesel producers are not accessing the full amount of incentives possible under their agreements. This is because of a lack of domestic demand for their product. Therefore, many producers have either lowered or ceased production.

Audits completed or planned: An internal audit of the program was completed in 2010-11.

Evaluations completed or planned: The Program was evaluated as part of the evaluation conducted for the Alternative Transportation Fuels sub-sub-program. The evaluation was completed in 2011-12. The next program evaluation will be in 2017-18.

Engagement of applicants and recipients: The deadline for submitting an application to the program was March 31, 2010. The program is no longer accepting applications.

The program engages recipients through regular calls on project progress; monthly, semi-annual and annual financial and environmental reporting; progress of construction and commissioning reports; technical and environmental site visits, and recipient audits.