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News Release
Canada's New Government invests over $1 million in five biofuel initiatives in Southern Alberta
OLDS, Alberta - Myron Thompson, Member of Parliament for Wild Rose, on behalf of the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, today announced that Canada's New Government is investing over $1 million in five southern Alberta projects to help the emerging biofuels industry.
"We are proud to announce an investment of funding in a biofuels project that could lead to new opportunities for the agricultural community in southern Alberta," said MP Myron Thompson. "Canada's New Government is working to expand biofuels opportunities in across the country, which is beneficial for producers, rural communities and the environment."
Through the Biofuels Opportunities for Producers Initiative (BOPI) companies in southern Alberta are receiving funding to help evaluate barley's potential in the biofuels industry, develop feasibility studies and business plans for biodiesel production and to assess, develop and demonstrate mobile diesel refining opportunities for western Canadian farms.
"These projects demonstrate Alberta's commitment to our environment and our agricultural sector,' said Marilyn Sharp, Chair of the Agriculture and Food Council, which administers the BOPI program in Alberta. "We are pleased that the federal government is providing support to help companies explore the potential for biofuel use."
BOPI is a $20 million commitment by Canada's New Government designed to provide farmers and rural communities with opportunities to participate in, and benefit from, increased Canadian biofuels production. The initiative helps agricultural producers develop sound business proposals, as well as undertake feasibility or other studies to support the creation and expansion of biofuel production capacity. It is delivered through the regional industry councils that administer Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Program.
In Budget 2007, Canada's New Government allocated $2 billion over seven years to support the production of renewable fuels. In addition, since coming to office this government has announced $500 million to assist farmers and rural communities to seize new market opportunities in the bio-economy through biofuels and bio-products initiatives.
