Government of Canada Invests in Quebec Biofuels

Investment of up to $79.75 million over seven years, will support the production of ethanol in Quebec.

VARENNES, QUEBEC — Steven Blaney, Member of Parliament for Lévis–Bellechasse, today announced that the Government of Canada’s ecoENERGY for Biofuels program will provide the funding to GreenField’s Varennes ethanol facility to help strengthen the Canadian renewable fuel industry. The investment by the Government of Canada, of up to $79.75 million over seven years, will support the production of ethanol in Quebec, sustain job creation and help stimulate the economy.

“The Government of Canada is delivering results for families and workers in Varennes,” said Mr. Blaney. “By investing in this project, we are helping to create and sustain local jobs and economic opportunities while encouraging a healthier environment for all Canadians.”

Compared with gasoline, grain-based ethanol can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 40 percent on a life-cycle basis. For biodiesel, the emissions reduction can be as much as 60 percent.

GreenField’s Varennes facility will produce about 145 million litres of ethanol a year.

“These investments will help GreenField to broaden Canadian’s fuel choices, thereby reducing GHG emissions,” said Bob Gallant, President and CEO, GreenField Ethanol. “Ethanol production creates jobs for the local community and income for Quebec growers. GreenField is proud to be a part of Quebec’s bioeconomy and Quebec’s only ethanol producer.””

The Government of Canada will invest up to $1.5 billion over nine years through the ecoENERGY for Biofuels program. The Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan also dedicates $1 billion to the Clean Energy Fund and $1 billion for the Green Infrastructure Fund to provide additional economic stimulus while promoting a cleaner, more sustainable energy future for Canadians.

Source: NRCan