CANADA'S NEW GOVERNMENT INVESTS OVER $110,000 IN RENEWABLE FUELS IN ONTARIO

June 01, 2007

LEAMINGTON – Dave Van Kesteren, Member of Parliament for Chatham-Kent-Essex, on behalf of the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, today announced the investment of $110,174 for an innovative way to power greenhouse operations.

"Investing in research to explore alternative renewable energy is an important way to diversify Canada's energy sources," Mr. Van Kesteren said. "Canada’s New Government is committed to doing its part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by helping farmers and rural communities seize new market opportunities in the biofuels sector."

The funding, under the Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Program, was presented to AMCO Farms Inc. of Leamington to assist with its plan to demonstrate clean combustion of biomass residues and blends in a small-scale system for the greenhouse industry. The project has the potential to be applicable to other agricultural sectors as well.

AMCO Farms has installed a new biomass energy facility and will carry out its project in four phases. Working with partners, AMCO will look at the utilization of a wide range of biomass residues with potential to contribute to the sustainability of the greenhouse industry, and provide new information on the applicability of alternative renewable energy to the entire agricultural sector.

"This project demonstrates a commitment to our environment and our agricultural sector," said Mary Ann Hendrikx, of the Agricultural Adaptation Council. "We're pleased the federal government is providing support to help farmers explore the potential of biofuels use."

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.