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Manitoba has taken another step forward as a leader in support of the biofuels industry by becoming the first jurisdiction in the country to implement a biodiesel mandate, Premier Greg Selinger said today at Speedway International, a Manitoba biodiesel processing facility. 

 

“This mandate is one of the building blocks of our clean energy plan, an important climate-change initiative that will see the reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions in Manitoba,” said Selinger. “As a result of the two per cent biodiesel blend with diesel, it is expected greenhouse-gas emissions will be reduced by 56,000 tonnes or the equivalent of removing more than 11,000 cars from the road annually.”

 

“Biodiesel is better for the environment as it has fewer emissions than regular diesel and will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Royce Rostecki, president of Speedway International. “The potential market for biodiesel is significant.”

 

Biodiesel is a safe, non-toxic, renewable and clean-burning fuel made from a variety of sources such as oilseed, animal fats from rendering facilities and used restaurant oils and grease.  It is biodegradable in water, produces fewer emissions and has a more pleasant odour than petroleum diesel.

 

Selinger also said the province will provide greater support for local biodiesel production by replacing the current fuel tax exemption with a 14-cent-per-litre, five-year production grant for biodiesel produced in Manitoba. He said the grant keeps Manitoba competitive with incentives offered in other North American jurisdictions.

 

Selinger noted that biodiesel is already being used in Manitoba by some vehicle fleets, such as Manitoba Hydro, Winnipeg School Division and Canada Safeway using this biofuel to reduce their greenhouse-gas emissions. It is expected biodiesel will be widely available to consumers by summer 2010.

 

“We know biodiesel is a proven renewable and clean-burning fuel source,” said John Graham, public affairs manager, Canada Safeway.  “Safeway supports Manitoba’s biodiesel initiative and is already using biodiesel in our fleets.”