WINDSOR, ONTARIO - A new ethanol production plant in Windsor
will help Canada address climate change by increasing the supply of this
cleaner, renewable fuel, the Honourable Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour and
Housing, announced today. Commercial Alcohols Inc. has been allocated $15
million from the Government of Canada's Ethanol Expansion Program (EEP) to
help build the new plant. Minister Fontana made the announcement on behalf of
the Honourable R. John Efford, Minister of Natural Resources Canada, and the
Honourable Andy Mitchell, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
"Windsor is certainly doing its part to help Canada address climate change,"
said Minister Fontana, who is also Chair of the Southwestern Ontario Liberal
Caucus. "Not only have our auto makers agreed to reduce emissions from vehicles
they sell, now this new ethanol plant will give drivers a cleaner option when it
comes to fueling vehicles. I congratulate Commercial Alcohols for providing the
leadership we need to put Canada among the world leaders in ethanol production
and use."
Commercial Alcohols will build a new facility that will produce about 199
million litres of ethanol annually. Commercial Alcohols previously received a
Government of Canada contribution for a facility in Varennes, Quebec, that will,
upon completion, be capable of converting 12 million bushels of corn into more
than 120 million litres of fuel-grade ethanol a year.
"The Windsor project will be a world-class, state-of-the-art facility
employing a thermal oxidizer that will eliminate any odours from the plant,"
said Bliss Baker, Vice President of Commercial Alcohols. "We are thrilled with
our new technology and look forward to seeing this plant being built."
The Windsor plant is one of five successful proposals that are being
allocated a total of approximately $46 million in funding through the second
round of the EEP, which is
administered by Natural Resources Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
These projects, in addition to six projects that were allocated $72 million in
the first round of EEP,
will increase Canadian production to 1.4 billion litres per year. This is enough
ethanol to achieve, two years ahead of schedule, the Government's target of
having a blend of 10-percent ethanol in 35 percent of all gasoline in Canada by
2010. Additionally, the $118 million in funding the Government of Canada has
allocated under the EEP
will result in close to a $1-billion investment from the companies involved in
the projects.
In addition, the three projects in Ontario, combined with the projects that
were allocated contributions under Round 1 of the EEP, are expected to increase
ethanol production in the province to almost 800 million litres per year. This
is enough capacity to meet the requirement, announced by the Government of
Ontario, that gasoline sold in the province contain an average of five-percent
ethanol by 2007.
The EEP is one part of
the Government of Canada's renewable-fuels strategy that also includes support
for research and development, exemptions from federal fuel excise taxes and
consumer awareness activities. The original funding for this program was
provided in Budget 2003 and is part of the Government of Canada's overall
commitment to climate change action.
The Government of Canada's approach to climate change is focused on making
the right choices for Canada. This will ensure that the actions taken contribute
to long-term goals of building a sustainable economy for the 21st
century, a healthier environment and strong communities, while affirming
Canada's place in the world.
For further information on renewable fuels, the successful projects and the
EEP, visit www.nrcan.gc.ca/media and http://www.vehiclefuels.gc.ca/.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
A new ethanol plant will be built in Windsor with the support of a
$15-million Government of Canada investment. Commercial Alcohols Inc. is one of
five companies to receive funding under the second round of the Ethanol
Expansion Program to increase the production and use of this cleaner, renewable
transportation fuel in Canada.
For more information, media may contact:
Ghyslain CharronMedia RelationsNatural Resources
CanadaOttawa(613) 992-4447
Tom OrmsbyDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the MinisterNatural
Resources CanadaOttawa (613) 996-2007
Elizabeth WhitingOffice of Minister MitchellAgriculture and Agri-Food
CanadaOttawa(613) 759-1059
Media RelationsAgriculture and Agri-Food
CanadaOttawa1 (866) 345-7972
Bliss BakerVice PresidentCommercial Alcohols Inc.Toronto(416)
949-0205
