HUMBOLDT PILOT BIODIGESTER RECEIVES WEPA FUNDING

Imagine a facility that could reduce greenhouse gases while creating heat or power, and fertilizer, by using existing waste such as manure and household garbage as well as products from intensive livestock operations, abattoirs and food processing.

Canada and Saskatchewan will support the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI) in the development of such facilities in Canada's emerging bio-energy industry with $186,138 in cost-shared federal-provincial funding to build the country's first pilot-scale biodigester.

Federal Finance Minister Ralph Goodale, on behalf of Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport), and Saskatchewan Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline today announced Canada-Saskatchewan Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA) funding for the $208,138 pilot facility. It will provide design information and test different formulations for the waste products, or feedstock, for full-scale biodigester manufacturers in Canada.

"Biodigester facilities are self-sustaining, 'green' power plants that provide both environmental and economic benefits in terms of greenhouse gas reduction and job opportunities in rural areas," said Minister Goodale. "The Government of Canada supports and invests in projects that take up the challenge of safeguarding our environment while stimulating innovation, new market opportunities and cleaner communities."

"The Saskatchewan government is committed to building a green and prosperous economy," Cline said. "It is imperative that we support the research and development initiatives that will provide the ways and means to building and continuing that economy here at home. The information gathered from the research at this pilot facility will serve to enhance the full-scale facilities planned for the future, which will in turn benefit Saskatchewan, and Canada as a whole."

Twenty-five full-scale biodigester facilities are expected to be built in Canada over the next few years. However, while the core technology has been proven - there are 3,000 plants in Germany - different feedstock (waste materials) produce different amounts of gas and different characteristics in the end product. The pilot facility will provide essential feedstock output information for designing a full-scale plant.

PAMI is providing additional funding of $22,000 for the project located at its centre in Humboldt. Phase one of the facility, which is design and assembly of the pilot scale equipment, is nearing completion. Clients will provide feedstock and PAMI will conduct test runs.

"PAMI appreciates the support from WEPA to provide a useful service for our emerging bio-energy industry," Vice-president of Saskatchewan operations Jim Wasserman said. "It's important to help the industry advance and be competitive with large-scale biodigester facilities around the world."

Signed in September 2003, the Canada-Saskatchewan Western Economic Partnership Agreement focuses on increasing the competitiveness and productivity of Saskatchewan's economy. The agreement funds initiatives that develop Saskatchewan's small and medium-sized business sector, support economic and technological innovation, assist in economic diversification, and increase Aboriginal participation in the economic mainstream.

Federal funding for this initiative is included in the fiscal framework. Provincial funding for this initiative was provided for in the 2004-05 provincial Budget.

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For More Information, Contact:

Renee Gillen Office of the Minister Ottawa Phone: (613) 954-1110	Joanne Mysak Western Economic Diversification Canada Saskatoon Phone: (306)975-5942
Jim Wassermann Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute Humboldt Phone: (306)682-5033	Bob Ellis Industry and Resources Regina Phone: (306)787-1691