LLOYDMINSTER — The Government of Canada will invest more than $70 million in support of the production of ethanol in Saskatchewan. The ecoENERGY for Biofuels program will deliver the investment to Husky Energy’s Lloydminster plant to help strengthen the Canadian renewable fuel industry. The announcement was made by the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, on behalf of the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Natural Resources.
This investment will help strengthen the Canadian renewable fuel industry, sustain job creation and help to stimulate the local economy.
“Your Conservative Government is delivering results for farm families in Saskatchewan by creating local markets for our crops,” said Minister Ritz. “This funding will help sustain local jobs while contributing to a healthier environment for all Canadians.”
Compared to gasoline, grain-based ethanol can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 40 percent on a life-cycle basis. For biodiesel, the emissions reduction can be as much as 60 percent.
“The ecoENERGY for Biofuels Program will have a significant role in sustaining the growth of the Canadian ethanol industry,” said John C.S. Lau, President and Chief Executive Officer for Husky Energy. “The ethanol industry is important to the people of Lloydminster, Western Canadian grain growers, and the country at large. Husky is pleased to have played an important role in pioneering the production and marketing of this renewable fuel source to help reduce vehicle greenhouse gas emissions.”
The Government of Canada will invest up to $1.5 billion over nine years through the ecoENERGY for Biofuels program. The Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan also dedicates $1 billion to the Clean Energy Fund and $1 billion for the Green Infrastructure Fund to provide additional economic stimulus while promoting a cleaner, more sustainable energy future for Canadians.
Renewable energy sources are increasingly becoming part of Canada’s energy mix. To build on this momentum, Minister Raitt is hosting three roundtables — with the provinces and territories, industry, researchers and the financial community — to discuss strategies for securing a strong energy economy in the long term.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
The Government of Canada will provide up to $71.8 million over seven years in funding to an ethanol plant in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan. Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Gerry Ritz said this funding will help sustain local jobs and economic opportunities for local businesses as well as provide cleaner fuels to reduce Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Media may contact:
Jocelyne Turner
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Lisa Raitt
Ottawa
613-996-2007
Or
Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-992-4447
or
Graham White
Senior Communications Advisor
Husky Energy
403-298-7088
403-828-0108
The general public may contact:
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E-mail: questions@nrcan.gc.ca
The following media backgrounder is available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media.
- ecoENERGY for Biofuels
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