Renewable energy for aquaculture industry as well

Tor-Eddie Fossbakk "Developing renewable energy resources in the agri-food and rural sectors is an important part of the government's climate change initiative," said Leona Dombrowsky, the provincial Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, in a press release. "It is also an opportunity to support rural economic development and partnerships." The CAD 9 million Ontario Biogas Systems Financial Assistance Program will help farmers and rural businesses carry out feasibility studies for the installation of biogas systems as well as cover a proportion of construction and implementation costs. Applicants can receive up to CAD 400,000 in funding. "This is good news for the environment, for farmers, and for all Ontarians," said Laurel Broten, the provincial Minister of the Environment. "Biodigesters encourage renewable energy production and reduce greenhouse gases that cause climate change." Biogas systems are fuelled by renewable materials like manure, crops and crop residues and food processing by-products. They can produce electricity and heat or replace conventional fuels like natural gas. Agricultural and food producers can use the electricity produced from their biogas system to meet their operation's energy demands. In addition, they can sell excess electricity to the electrical grid. A biogas system that uses manure from 250 cows could result in 400 fewer tons of greenhouse gas emissions and 550 additional megawatt-hours of power production every year. The government has already taken action by making CAD 220 million in loans and grants available to help municipalities reduce greenhouse gas emissions; setting ambitious but realistic targets to reduce greenhouse gases below 1990 levels and launching a CAD 650 million fund that will help secure the next generation of high-paying jobs for Ontarians by developing new clean and green technologies.