CHARLOTTETOWN – Prince Edward Islanders can now take a
"clean ride" around Charlottetown on a hydrogen-powered bus. Guy Lauzon,
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food,
representing the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources, today
joined the Honourable Robert Ghiz, Premier of Prince Edward Island, to announce
funding support for a hydrogen demonstration project using two hydrogen-powered
shuttle buses and a hydrogen fuelling station. The purpose of the project is to
test the hydrogen technology in a maritime climate.
"Our government is taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air
pollution as set out in our Turning the Corner Plan," said
Parliamentary Secretary Lauzon. "We believe that we must work together with the
provinces and industry to support technologies that will play a crucial role in
the fight against climate change – and hydrogen technology holds great
potential."
The Government of Canada is investing $275,000 in the project, and the
Province of Prince Edward Island and Air Liquide Canada are contributing
$100,000 and $175,000 respectively.
"We are proud to partner with the federal government and the private sector
on an initiative that encourages Islanders to use environmentally friendly means
of transportation whenever possible," said Premier Ghiz. "This project is yet
another example of our government's commitment to the reduction of greenhouse
gas emissions. Our Island is leading by example."
The two buses, provided by Ford of Canada and Industry Canada, are part of a
fleet of ten being tested in hydrogen demonstration projects across Canada. The
success of Ford's hydrogen internal combustion engines, or H2ICEs, will help
advance the commercialization of hydrogen-powered vehicles and raise public
awareness of the benefits of hydrogen as a transportation fuel.
"Hydrogen is commonly identified as a promising energy source that can
provide lasting, clean renewable energy for generations to come. The question
has always been how to capture this potential," said Caroline Hughes, Director
of Government Relations for Ford of Canada. "We are proud to be here today to
demonstrate that Ford is doing its part by moving ahead with a range of
technological solutions simultaneously, including leading the way with
practical, durable, hydrogen-fuelled vehicles that can be operated on Canadian
roads today."
In addition to the two buses, the project involves the installation and
operation of an Air Liquide Canada temporary hydrogen fuelling station. The cost
of the hydrogen fuelling station is being shared by Air Liquide Canada, P.E.I.
Energy Corporation and Natural Resources Canada.
"As a company committed to accelerating innovation in Canada's hydrogen
energy infrastructure, Air Liquide Canada is applying decades of experience and
R&D expertise to assist customers and partners in improving their process
efficiencies," said Luc Doyon, President and COO of Air Liquide Canada. "We are
pleased to collaborate with the public sector in this unique P.E.I. project to
demonstrate sustainable storage and delivery solutions that advance the case for
navigating our future using hydrogen-powered vehicles."
The P.E.I. project is the latest in a series of major demonstration projects
supported by Natural Resources Canada's Canadian Transportation Fuel Cell
Alliance (CTFCA). The
Charlottetown installation is the eleventh CTFCA-supported hydrogen fuelling
station in Canada.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Prince Edward Islanders can now take a "clean ride" around Charlottetown on a
hydrogen-powered bus. The governments of Canada and P.E.I. today announced
funding for a demonstration project using two hydrogen-powered shuttle buses.
The project will test the hydrogen technology in a maritime climate.
Media may contact:
Louise Girouard Director of Communications Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada Ottawa 613-996-2007
Geoff TownsendOffice of the Premier902-368-4400
The general public may contact:
Mon-Fri, 8:30-4:30 EDTTelephone: 613-995-0947TTY:
613-996-4397(teletype for the hearing-impaired) E-mail: questions@nrcan.gc.ca
NRCan's news
releases and backgrounders are available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media.
