2009-11-10 17:45:01 -

BELLE PLAINE, SASKATCHEWAN -- (Marketwire) -- 11/10/09 -- Thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada, up to $77.75 million over seven years will support the production of ethanol in Saskatchewan, sustain job creation and help stimulate the economy. Ray Boughen, Member of Parliament for Palliser, on behalf of the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, today announced that the ecoENERGY for Biofuels program will deliver the investment to Terra Grain Fuels' ethanol facility to help strengthen the Canadian renewable fuel industry.



"This investment is an example of how our Government is delivering results for families in Saskatchewan," said Mr. Boughen. "This funding will help sustain local jobs and economic opportunities, while contributing to 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.



"Terra Grain Fuels is very pleased to be a qualified member of the ecoEnergy Biofuels program and encouraged by the government's commitment to the emerging renewable fuel industry," said Tim LaFrance, President of Terra Grain Fuels. "There has been a significant positive impact on the local communities and area producers in and around the Belle Plaine facility."



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.



Renewable energy sources are increasingly becoming part of Canada's energy mix. To build on this momentum, Minister Raitt recently hosted three roundtables - with the provinces and territories, industry, researchers and the financial community - to discuss strategies for securing a strong energy economy in the long term.



FOR BROADCAST USE:



The Government of Canada will provide up to $77.75 million over seven years in funding to an ethanol plant in Belle Plaine, Saskatchewan. M.P. Ray Boughen said the funding will help sustain local jobs and economic opportunities for local businesses as well as provide cleaner fuels to reduce Canada's greenhouse gas emissions.



The following media backgrounder is available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media : www.nrcan.gc.ca/media .



ecoENERGY for Biofuels


NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media : www.nrcan.gc.ca/media .

Contacts:
Media may contact:
Jocelyne Turner
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa
613-996-2007

Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-992-4447

Ted Gross
Terra Grain Fuels
Regina, Saskatchewan
306-533-5625

The general public may contact:
Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. EST
Telephone: 613-995-0947
TTY: 613-996-4397
(teletype for the hearing-impaired)
questions@nrcan.gc.ca :