No. H034/03For release - April 23, 2003
OTTAWA — Transport Minister David Collenette today announced that the Government of Canada will provide funding of more than $212,000 for three additional projects under the Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program.
The program, announced in November 2001, will allocate approximately $4.5 million over five years for projects designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the freight transportation sector. This program is one of the initiatives under the Government of Canada Action Plan 2000 on Climate Change.
"Transportation is a key component of the government's strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as the sector accounts for about a quarter of Canada's total emissions," said Mr. Collenette. "The Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program demonstrates the Government of Canada's commitment to finding new and innovative solutions to reduce emissions and improve the efficiency of the freight sector."
The Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program supports the demonstration and evaluation of innovative tools, technologies and best practices that have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the freight transportation sector in Canada. The federal government will contribute up to 50 per cent of eligible project expenses, to a maximum of $250,000, with applicants and their partners contributing the remainder.
The following projects are being funded:
Bowater Forest Products of Canada Inc., in partnership with the Commission Scolaire du Pays-des-Bleuets, will receive $43,700 to conduct a driver education program for the drivers of Bowater's 15 heavy-duty forestry trucks which transport logs from the harvesting site to the mill in the Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec. The primary objective of the project is to reduce fuel consumption by teaching more efficient driving practices. The effectiveness of the training will be monitored by on-board computer systems that will measure fuel consumption throughout the demonstration.
Espar Products Ltd. will receive $80,000 to lead a project to demonstrate anti-idling technology for long-haul highway trucks. Espar will work with three trucking companies with different operating conditions. These companies will install cab heaters and engine pre-heaters on 10 of their trucks which should significantly reduce the need to idle trucks in cold weather. The project will be closely monitored to determine the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions related to the anti-idling devices.
Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada will receive $89,000 to lead a project to build and test a dual commodity trailer for use in forestry operations, in partnership with K-Line Trailers Ltd., Trimac Transportation Services Ltd., and Weldwood of Canada Ltd. The new trailer design will be capable of hauling both logs and wood chips, thus reducing the amount of fuel currently used to move empty trailers. The project will measure the change in fuel consumption and the performance of the trailer in forestry operations in northwestern Alberta.
In the first funding announcement for the Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program in August 2002, more than $348,000 was provided for four projects across Canada.
More information on the Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program is available at http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/programs/environment-ecofreight-about-programdemo-358.htm. A backgrounder on the program is attached.
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Contact:
Amy ButcherPress SecretaryOffice of the Minister(613) 991-0700
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BACKGROUNDER
FREIGHT SUSTAINABILITY DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM
The Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program (FSDP), led by Transport Canada, supports the demonstration and evaluation of innovative tools, technologies, and best practices that have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Canada's freight transportation sector.
The Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program, announced as part of the Government of Canada's Action Plan 2000 on Climate Change, will allocate approximately $4.5 million between 2001 and 2006 for projects that meet the program's criteria. Projects are eligible for a maximum program contribution of $250,000 over two years. Government of Canada contributions will cover up to 50 per cent of eligible project expenses, with applicants and their partners contributing the remainder. This announcement brings the total funding allocated under the program to approximately $560,000 for seven projects.
An advisory committee including representatives of other federal departments, academic institutions, and other not-for-profit organizations makes recommendations on project funding. Transport Canada, with the agreement of Natural Resources Canada, makes the final selections on projects which will receive funding. Applications are accepted twice a year, in the spring and the fall. For specific dates, please see the Applicant's Guide on the FSDP Web site listed below.
All participants in the Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program are required to monitor emissions and report findings from their projects to the program secretariat at Transport Canada. Transport Canada will make information on successful technologies and best practices available at conferences and other venues, and on the FSDP Web site at www.tc.gc.ca/FSDP.
In November 2001, 28 initiatives under the Government of Canada Action Plan 2000 on Climate Change were announced, including the Freight Efficiency and Technology Initiative. Its goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the freight transportation sector. The Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program is one component of the Freight Efficiency and Technology Initiative. For further information on this initiative, visit www.tc.gc.ca/programs/environment/freighttransportation/menu.htm.
April 2003
