CHATHAM - Dave Van Kesteren, Member of Parliament for Chatham–Kent–Essex, on behalf of the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Natural Resources, today announced that the Government of Canada's ecoENERGY for Biofuels program will provide up to $72.8 million to GreenField Ethanol's Chatham facility. Mr. Van Kesteren was joined at today's announcement by Marty Cormier, Vice President of Bulk Manufacturing, GreenField Ethanol.
"This investment is an example of how our Government is working for families in Chatham," said Mr. Van Kesteren. "This funding will help create local jobs and economic opportunities for local businesses, both of which are more important than ever given the current global recession. In the long run, increasing our supply of cleaner fuels will also reduce greenhouse gasses and contribute to a healthier environment for all Canadians."
The ecoENERGY for Biofuels program supports the production of renewable alternatives to gasoline and diesel and encourages the development of a competitive domestic industry for renewable fuels. The program provides an operating incentive to facilities that produce renewable alternatives to gasoline and diesel in Canada.
Compared to gasoline, grain-based ethanol can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 40 percent on a lifecycle basis. For biodiesel, the emissions reduction can be as much as 60 percent.
"These funds will help GreenField Ethanol in our mission to utilize innovative technologies to help broaden Canadians' fuel choices," said Robert Gallant, President and CEO of GreenField. "This investment will also result in greater workplace opportunities for the Chatham community."
Through the ecoENERGY for Biofuels program, the Government of Canada will invest a total of $1.5 billion over nine years to encourage the development of a strong, competitive renewable fuels industry in Canada. The government has also provided $500 million to Sustainable Development Technology Canada for the creation of the NextGen Biofuels Fund.
The Government of Canada is also reducing emissions and creating new economic opportunities through investments such as the five-year,
$1-billion Clean Energy Fund and the $1-billion Green Infrastructure Fund. These initiatives are part of the Government's Economic Action Plan and will provide additional economic stimulus while accelerating progress toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future for Canadians.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
The Government of Canada is providing up to $72.8 million in new funding to an ethanol plant in Chatham, Ontario. M.P. Dave Van Kesteren says the new investment will help create local jobs and economic opportunities for local businesses as well as provide cleaner fuels to reduce Canada's greenhouse gas emissions.
Media may contact:
Jasmine MacDonnell
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-996-2007
Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-992-4447
Megan Johnson
Communications
GreenField Ethanol
416-304-1700 ext. 8431
m.johnson@greenfieldethanol.com
NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media.
