Story Posted: March 24, 2011

New Biofuel Mandate and Grant Program Applauded

Saskatoon... The announcement of a Saskatchewan Biofuel mandate and  a five year $26 million program that will provide 13 cents per litre grant to eligible renewable diesel producers is applauded by SaskCanola, the producer led commission that represents some 26,000 Saskatchewan canola producers.

"These announcements are an investment in the canola industry and our future," Brett Halstead, Chair of SaskCanola stated. "The grant program and mandate recognize the significant importance of a growing Saskatchewan biofuel industry in which canola can be the leader. Both initiatives propose additional prosperity for the canola industry, especially producers, and will create new job opportunities and new forms of consumer products that will benefit not only our environment but the economy".

A recent report, Lifecycle Analysis Canola Biodiesel commissioned by the Canola Council of Canada showed that canola as a feedstock in biodiesel reduces lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) by 90 percent compared to fossil diesel.

Earlier this year, the federal government set a start date of July 1, 2011 for the implementation of a two per cent inclusion standard for biofuel in all diesel fuel sold in Canada.

"The canola industry is proud to be actively engaged in providing cleaner green-fuel alternatives through biodiesel products that help protect our environment, "Halstead said. "This is demonstrated by Milligan Bio-Tech in Foam Lake Saskatchewan which has been a leader in the renewable energy sector using canola".

"We commend the provincial government on the biofuels mandate and program which together will continue to grow and sustain an expanding and exciting agriculture and canola industry," Halstead concluded.

« Back to main Latest News page