Consultation on 2022 Increase to the Biofuel Obligation rate and Buy-out Charge

In 2010, the Government put in place the biofuels obligation under the National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007 to assist Ireland in its effort to meet this obligation. This biofuel obligation ensures that a proportion of the transport fuel used in the State consists of environmentally sustainable biofuels. Further details on the scheme are available at nora.ie.

The Minister for Transport published the Renewable Fuels Policy Statement in November 2021. It sets out a roadmap for the supply and use of renewable fuels in transport energy, including proposed updates to the biofuel obligation in 2022 and the trajectory of further increases in subsequent years. The obligation rates for biofuels by 2025 and out to 2030 will be subject to analysis and review to best ensure that they continue to contribute meaningfully to Ireland's commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Minister intends to make an order to provide for an increase in the biofuel obligation rate from 1 January 2022. He also intends to make regulations to increase levies on obligated parties who discharge their blending obligation (a 'buy-out charge).

The Minister is required to hold a public consultation for 28 days on each draft regulation. He is seeking views in writing on:

(i) Draft order increasing the biofuel obligation rate to 13%

Draft NORA Act 2007 (Biofuel Obligation Rate) Order 2021

(ii) Draft regulation to increase the buy-out charge - Renewable Fuels for Transport Policy Statement

The deadline for submitting representations regarding each of the above draft regulations is *5pm on the 31 December 2021.*

Written submissions on either of the two draft regulations should be sent to [email protected] . Please specify 'biofuel obligation rate' or 'biofuel buy-out charge' in the subject line of the email.

Draft Regulations under this consultation and notice are subject to final legal drafting and review.

Data Protection

We are committed to engaging with stakeholders in a clear, open and transparent manner. Any person or organisation can make a submission in relation to this consultation. All submissions and feedback will be considered before the final version of the Terms and Conditions is published.

Please note that responses to this consultation are subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (FOI), Access to Information on the Environment Regulations 2007-2018 (AIE) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Please also note that we intend to publish the contents of all submissions received to our consultations on our website. We will redact personal data prior to publication. In responding to this consultation, parties should clearly indicate where their responses contain personal information, commercially sensitive information or confidential information which they would not wish to be released under FOI, AIE or otherwise published.

We would like to draw your attention to our Data Privacy Notice which explains how and when we collect personal data, why we do so and how we treat this information. It also explains your rights in relation to the collection of personal information and how you can exercise those rights.