No. H 187/08
For release - August 7, 2008
OTT AWA - The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today announced that the Government of Canada is taking one more step towards better air quality. Eligible recipients of Round One funding of the Marine Sho re Power Program are invited to submit applications.
The program aims to improve air quality by enabling ships to turn off their diesel engines while docked. Ships would be connected to electric power that travels to them from specially designed transformers at port facilities.
"Our government is taking important measures to preserve our environment," said Minister Cannon. "Transportation is a key element of our environmental agenda, and this technology will improve local air quality by reducing air pollution from ships in some of Canada's largest cities."
Minister Cannon's comments were echoed by the Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment. "Improving the quality of our air is a major priority for our government," said Minister Baird. "Today's action by Minister Cannon goes hand in hand with the tough action we are taking to clean the air for all Canadians from coast to coast through our Turning the Corner plan to reduce air pollution and clean up our environment."
The government has allocated $6 million over four years to the Marine Shore Power Program to support cost-shared projects. Funds can be used to help purchase equipment such as the special transform ers needed to power ships at docking facilities.
The Marine Shore Power Program falls under the ecoTRANSPORT Strategy, which is part of the Government of Canada's ambitious agenda to protect the environment and health of Canadians, and to furt her Canada's economic prosperity.
Port authorities and terminal operators located in Canada are eligible to apply for funding by August 25, 2008. A guide for applicants is available on Transport Canada's ecoFREIGHT website at www.tc.gc.ca/programs/environment/ecofreight/menu-eng.htm.
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Contacts:
Catherine Loubier
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa
613-991-0700
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
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