Minister of Environment, Energy and Forestry Minister Jamie Ballem and Souris-Elmira MLA Andy Mooney are in Saskatchewan this week to tour three of the province’s ethanol and biodiesel production facilities and learn more about the community and producer ownership model.
Federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for biofuels met this spring to discuss the federal government’s proposal for a renewable fuels standard of at least five per cent by 2010. This would require gasoline and other liquid fuels to contain five per cent renewable fuels such as ethanol or biodiesel. At the meeting, both Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan supported a more aggressive standard of 10 per cent and both provinces spoke to the importance of producer involvement.
“In addition to the environmental benefits, a renewable fuels standard will provide new opportunities for farmers to grow energy crops such as canola. However, agricultural producers must have an ownership stake in the industry if it is to provide real long-term benefits to growers,” said Minister Ballem. “As the first province in Canada to mandate the use of ethanol, Saskatchewan has been a leader in ethanol production. We want to learn from their experience in developing the industry.”
Minister Ballem and Mr. Mooney are touring the NorAmera BioEnergy Corporation ethanol production facility in Weyburn today. On Thursday, they will visit Milligan Bio-Tech in Foam Lake and the Poundmaker ethanol production facility in Lanigan. As a farmer, Mr. Mooney said he is particularly interested in seeing first hand how local producers are benefiting from the renewable fuels industry in Saskatchewan and how the ownership model could be applied in Prince Edward Island.
“We are pleased to share our experience in developing the industry with our provincial counterparts,” said Saskatchewan Deputy Premier and Regional Economic and Co-operative Development Minister Clay Serby who is hosting the tour. “We believe that Canada’s renewable fuel strategy will be built in collaboration with governments and industry, and will ensure Canadian farmers have an opportunity to be involved in the value chain supplying the renewable fuel industry.”
Minister Serby said Saskatchewan is continuing to lobby for a more aggressive renewable fuels strategy in Canada and is encouraged by Prince Edward Island’s support.