No. H030/06
For release May 5, 2006
FREDERICTON — A New Brunswick project designed to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions in the freight transportation sector has been selected to receive
funding under Transport Canada's Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program.
Greg Thompson, MP for New Brunswick Southwest and Regional Minister for New
Brunswick, on behalf of Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure
and Communities, today announced that Sunbury Transport Limited will receive
funding totalling $97,000. This funding will be used to demonstrate the
company's Fuel Efficiency Online tool that assists in managing fuel consumption.
This project is one of five nationwide to receive funding totalling $582,000
under the eighth round of the program.
"This innovative experiment allows for the gathering of information to more
efficiently manage the fuel consumption of individual trucks," said Minister Thompson.
"That will translate into greater fuel efficiency and fewer greenhouse gas
emissions in our environment."
"The companies awarded funding under this program have shown innovation and a
willingness to experiment," said Minister Cannon. "The results have the
potential to enhance not only our environment, but also the processes and
equipment that we use in freight transportation every day."
The Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program supports the demonstration and
evaluation of innovative tools, technologies and practices that have the
potential to reduce the growth of greenhouse gas emissions from the freight
transportation sector in Canada. The Government of Canada 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.
This announcement brings the total funding allocated under the program to
approximately $4.7 million for 34 projects across Canada.
More information on the Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program is
available at
www.tc.gc.ca/FSDP. Backgrounders with information on the program and selected project are attached.
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Contact:
Robin Browne
Communications
Transport Canada, Ottawa
(613) 993-0055
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.
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BACKGROUNDER
FREIGHT SUSTAINABILITY DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM
The Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program supports the demonstration
and evaluation of innovative tools, technologies and practices that have the
potential to reduce the growth of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada's freight
transportation sector.
The program will allocate approximately $4.7 million between 2001 and 2007 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.
Transport Canada, together with Natural Resources Canada, selects projects to
receive funding under the program, taking into account the recommendations of an
advisory committee including representatives of other federal departments,
academic institutions, and other not-for-profit organizations.
All participants in the Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program are
required to monitor greenhouse gas 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 Freight
Sustainability Demonstration Program website at
www.tc.gc.ca/FSDP.
The Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program is part of the Freight
Efficiency and Technology Initiative, which includes a range of different
initiatives designed to reduce the growth of greenhouse gas emissions in the
freight transportation sector.
May 2006
BACKGROUNDER
PROJECT FUNDED UNDER THE EIGHTH ROUND OF
THE
FREIGHT SUSTAINABILITY DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM
The following project has been selected for the eighth round of funding under
the Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program:
Sunbury Transport Limited / Fuel & Efficiency (Idle-time and Speed)
Project location: Fredericton, New Brunswick
Sunbury Transport Ltd. has been selected for funding of $97,000 to demonstrate
the company's Fuel Efficiency Online Tool that assists its on-road fleet with
managing fuel consumption. Through a satellite tracking system, Sunbury gathers
data from the engine computer on each satellite-equipped truck. The information
captured includes data on miles per gallon, idling time and inter-trip idling,
among others. The information is sent each week to a secure website where
drivers can access personal performance data and compare that to divisional
averages and the top 25 per cent of each fleet. The program aims to monitor fuel
consumption, reduce GHG emissions and increase profitability by reducing fuel
costs.
May 2006
