The marine industry in British Columbia (B.C.) has vowed to take an 'aggressive stance' on reducing the province's greenhouse emissions. This statement comes following last week's marine biodiesel seminar in Vancouver, which saw over 100 industry representatives gather from across Canada and the US. Ian Thomson, president of the BC Biodiesel Association, said that to achieve B.C.'s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions of 33% by 2020, the province will be looking to Europe's "aggressive emissions policies" in order to move forward.
"This summer, B.C. will begin its greenhouse gas reduction plan, with the aim of developing regulations this fall," Paul Wieringa, executive director for the Major Initiatives Branch of the BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, said.
"B.C.'s target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is about the same level as California's intent - it implies a target of around 9.6 tonnes per person," he noted.
Legislation by the province is currently in place that requires a 5% mix of biodiesel in diesel fuel and a 5% mix of ethanol in gasoline across the province by 2010, a Government report said.
Wierenga revealed that while biodiesel is widely used in Europe, and fast growing in the US, it is considered Canada’s newest alternative fuel. Approximately 80% of biodiesel consumption in Canada is in B.C.
To meet its stringent targets, the government is focusing on the Innovative Clean Energy Fund - a $25 million government project that will help promising clean power technology projects succeed.
The Fund hopes to solve some of B.C.'s pressing energy challenges, protect the environment, help the economy grow and position the province as the place international customers turn to for key energy and environmental solutions, as well as assisting B.C. based companies to showcase their products to worldwide markets, according to a government report.
"The Government's fund will be supporting new generation biofuels and other clean energy technological developments. They plan to announce who will be getting funding in the next few weeks," revealed Wieringa.
"This summer, B.C. will begin its greenhouse gas reduction plan, with the aim of developing regulations this fall," Paul Wieringa, executive director for the Major Initiatives Branch of the BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, said.
"B.C.'s target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is about the same level as California's intent - it implies a target of around 9.6 tonnes per person," he noted.
Legislation by the province is currently in place that requires a 5% mix of biodiesel in diesel fuel and a 5% mix of ethanol in gasoline across the province by 2010, a Government report said.
Wierenga revealed that while biodiesel is widely used in Europe, and fast growing in the US, it is considered Canada’s newest alternative fuel. Approximately 80% of biodiesel consumption in Canada is in B.C.
To meet its stringent targets, the government is focusing on the Innovative Clean Energy Fund - a $25 million government project that will help promising clean power technology projects succeed.
The Fund hopes to solve some of B.C.'s pressing energy challenges, protect the environment, help the economy grow and position the province as the place international customers turn to for key energy and environmental solutions, as well as assisting B.C. based companies to showcase their products to worldwide markets, according to a government report.
"The Government's fund will be supporting new generation biofuels and other clean energy technological developments. They plan to announce who will be getting funding in the next few weeks," revealed Wieringa.