No. H031/06
For release May 5, 2006
HALIFAX — A Nova Scotia 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.
Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada
Opportunities Agency, on behalf of Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities, today announced that Jazz Air Limited
Partnership will receive funding of $115,000. The funding will be used to
demonstrate the fuel efficiency of the Safe Flight Auto-Thrust System on two CRJ
200 aircraft. This is one of five projects nationwide to receive funding
totalling $582,000 under the eighth round of the program.
"Transportation is one of the single largest contributors to greenhouse gas
emissions in our atmosphere," said Minister MacKay. "This demonstration could
reduce costs, improve efficiency and lessen the effects of freight
transportation on 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:
Jazz Air Limited Partnership / Safe Flight Auto Thrust System CRJ
Project location: Halifax International Airport, Nova Scotia
Jazz Air Limited Partnership has been selected for funding of $115,000 to
demonstrate the fuel efficiency potential of the Safe Flight Auto-Thrust System
on two CRJ 200 aircraft. This technology will continually monitor the aircraft's
thrust settings to ensure optimum performance and fuel savings. The
demonstration expects to realize fuel savings of 2 per cent from Jazz Air's
annual fuel-operating budget or a reduction of nearly 10 million litres of fuel.
If the demonstration is successful, Jazz will proceed with installation on 72
Jazz CRJ 200 aircraft.
May 2006
