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RED DEER, ALBERTA -- The expansion of an ethanol production plant in Red Deer will help Canada address climate change by increasing the supply of this cleaner, renewable fuel, the Honourable Anne McLellan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, announced today. Permolex Ltd. has been allocated $1.1 million from the Government of Canada's Ethanol Expansion Program (EEP) for this project. Minister McLellan made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable R. John Efford, Minister of Natural Resources Canada, and the Honourable Andy Mitchell, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
"This is good news for the environment and good news for the economy," said Minister McLellan. "Permolex already knows the benefits of ethanol and the potential of this industry to grow. Expanding this plant will increase the supply of this renewable fuel, helping us respond to climate change and increasing employment opportunities in Red Deer at the same time."
Permolex Ltd. will expand an existing facility that currently produces 28 million litres of ethanol a year. The expanded plant will allow Permolex to produce an additional 12 million litres annually, for a total of 40 million litres a year.
"Permolex is delighted to have the support of Natural Resources Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for the expansion of the ethanol portion of our facility," said Doug MacKenzie, CEO of Permolex Ltd. "The ethanol production from the expanded facility will assist in meeting national and provincial renewable fuel targets, and the plant grain supply will be drawn from the local community." Permolex is a unique grain processing facility that produces food-quality flour, vital wheat gluten as well as ethanol and high-protein animal food. The plant's design incorporates leading edge technologies and processes.
The Permolex plant is one of five successful proposals that has been allocated a total of approximately $46 million in funding through the second round of the EEP, which is administered by Natural Resources Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. These projects, in addition to six projects that were allocated $72 million in the first round of EEP, will increase Canadian production to 1.4 billion litres per year. This is enough ethanol to achieve, two years ahead of schedule, the Government's target of having a blend of 10-percent ethanol in 35 percent of all gasoline in Canada by 2010. Additionally, the $118 million in funding the Government of Canada has allocated under the EEP will result in close to a $1-billion investment from the companies involved in the projects.
The EEP is one part of the Government of Canada's renewable-fuels strategy that also includes support for research and development, exemptions from federal fuel excise taxes and consumer awareness activities. The original funding for this program was provided in Budget 2003 and is part of the Government of Canada's overall commitment to climate change action.
The Government of Canada's approach to climate change is focused on making the right choices for Canada. This will ensure that the actions taken contribute to long-term goals of building a sustainable economy for the 21st century, a healthier environment and strong communities, while affirming Canada's place in the world.
For further information on renewable fuels, the successful projects and the EEP, visit www.nrcan.gc.ca/media and www.vehiclefuels.gc.ca.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
An ethanol plant in Red Deer, Alberta, will be expanded with the support of a $1.1-million Government of Canada investment. Permolex Ltd. is one of five companies to receive funding under the second round of the Ethanol Expansion Program to increase the production and use of this cleaner, renewable transportation fuel in Canada.
For more information, media may contact:
Ghyslain Charron
Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-992-4447
Tom Ormsby
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-996-2007
Elizabeth Whiting
Office of Minister Mitchell
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa
613-759-1059
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa
1-866-345-7972
Doug MacKenzie
President and CEO
Permolex Ltd.
Red Deer
905-330-5370 (Ontario)