The program aims to encourage coal users within the
province of Manitoba to switch to renewable fuels within the
province.
“Manitoba is committed to reducing our greenhouse-gas
emissions and with the assistance of programs like this, Manitoba
farms will reduce their carbon footprint and continue to be part of
the solution to environmental challenges,” said Manitoba
agriculture minister Ron Kostyshyn, in a release on why the new
program is important for provincial businesses to make the switch
from coal to renewable energy sources.
Biofuels are clean-burning fuels. Fossil fuels, which come
from long-dead plants and other organisms, create combustion that
allows large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. On the
other hand, biomass released as energy can be carbon neutral as
long as it’s not used
more than the rate at which the source is being replenished.
“Biomass is a made-in-Manitoba fuel that can be produced
from agricultural residues like straw, oat hulls and flax shives,”
said Kostyshyn in the release.
Other examples of biomass used for energy include:
woodchips, livestock waste, switchgrass, and crop residues.
There are two components of the new program. The ‘consumer
support’ part of the two-part approach will allow coal users to
receive up to C$12,000 in grants to offset potential cost
differences between January 1, 2012- March 31, 2012 from switching
to biomass energy from coal, according to the release. The second involves a capital
part, where biomass producers and users can receive as much as
C$50,000 for
developing strong, quality biomass products for combustion heating
systems. The capital fund will also be used for upgrades to
infrastructure that can either be for expanding existing or
creating new biomass capacity for consumption or manufacturing, the
release said.
The MBESP’s funding will increase later this year to C$1.5
million, thanks to a coal tax implemented January 1, 2012.
While Manitoba is known more for another renewable energy
resource, hydro, and is known for its cheap clean energy with
Manitoba Hydro, the new biomass program will allow the province to
diversity its clean energy sources, supporting climate change
protection, and moving away from coal.
Applicants may include farms, communities, rural business
and industrial users.
Grant applications must be received by March 9. Application forms can be
downloaded from the MAFRI website at www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/.
Bron: http://cleantechnica.com/2012/01/19/manitoba-adds-new-biomass-program-advancing-renewable-energy/
Opgesteld door: Sabira Tejani, CG Toronto (sabira.tejani@minbuza.nl).
