ONTARIO INVESTS $8M IN SARNIA COMMERCIAL BIOREFINERY T he Ontario government is contributing $8 million in funding for Comet Biore-fining’s commercial-scale bio-based ingredient refinery in Sarnia, Ont. The $79.8-million facility will be the first of its kind in the world. Comet Biorefining uses proprietary ingredient technology to convert of ag-ricultural residues, including wheat straw, corn stover and wood products, into high pu-rity ingredients. The ingredi-ents are used in the food and beverage, animal nutrition and biomaterials markets. According to a gov-ernment news release, the provincial funding through the Jobs and Prosperity Fund will help Comet: • Grow the agri-based value chain and benefit local farmers by using residues from Ontario’s farming community • Grow the emerging biochemical bioproduct ecosystem in Sarnia, while further establishing Ontar-io as a global player in the bioeconomy • Help meet the growing world demand for bio-based products. Jeff Leal, Ontario’s min-ister of agriculture, food and rural affairs, said the provincial funds will help position Comet Biorefining to compete globally. “This will in turn help create and retain jobs, boost Sarnia’s lo-cal economy and support the competitiveness and further growth of Ontario’s agri-food sector,” he said. CEO of Comet Biorefining Rich Troyer thanked the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs for their financial support and touted their leadership in making Canada a global front-runner for the manufacturing of bio-based products. “Once completed, this facility will produce sustain-able ingredients for custom-ers across North American and provide a win for local farmers, a win for the envi-ronment, and a win for the Canadian bioeconomy as a whole,” he said. GET ON BOARD FOR THE WPAC AGM & CONFERENCE! ON LAUNCHES WOOD HEAT PROGRAMS FOR RURAL, INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES he Ontario govern-ment spending $6.7 million on pilot programs that will help northern, rural and Indigenous communities transition from diesel and oil to new, efficient wood and pellet heating systems. Four new programs are being launched through the Green Ontario Fund (GreenON), a non-profit provincial agency that doles out proceeds from Ontario’s carbon market. Two Indigenous-led pilot programs will operate in Wiikwemikoong and Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) territory and provide free installation of wood and pellet heating systems to replace diesel and oil or older, inefficient wood stoves. Two other municipally-led pilot pro-grams will offer rebates to households in Wawa and Sioux Lookout. “This project is a tremendous step forward in providing safer and healthier living condi-tions for our communities that rely on diesel power,” Deputy Grand Chief Derek Fox said in a news release. “Wood heat is an environmentally conscious alternative to fossil fuel and a sensible fuel choice for those living in the NAN Territory. The communities that have received the wood stoves will see a reduction of the health, safety and environmental impacts associat-ed with diesel generation.” Nathalie Des Rosiers, Ontario’s minister of natural resources and forestry, said the pilot projects will help support the province’s forest sector. “A strong local market for wood heating fuels will support a diverse forest product sector, spur innovation, and keep investment here in Ontario. By increasing the use of modern wood heating technologies in these communities, the pilots will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create jobs and encourage development of Ontario’s abundant forest resources.” The province is planning to invest up to $1.7 billion from its carbon market revenue into the Green Ontario Fund. T A ll aboard! Registration is now open for the annual WPAC AGM & Conference. Get the most up-to-date information on wood pellet certifications at this year’s event, Sept. 17–19, in Vancouver. Our kick off reception takes us off land this year aboard the Magic Charm for a three-hour cruise through Indian Arm — a steep-sided glacial fjord formed during the last ice age. This two-level yacht has a fully functional bar at the bow with an outdoor seating area perfect for networking and cap-turing stunning pictures. The second level is a sleek, modern lounge that opens onto a large, outdoor deck that offers the perfect area to mingle, enjoy a snack, and take in the breath-taking views. Reserve your spot and save with our early bird pricing. Learn more at pellet.org/wpac-agm. Canadian BIOMASS 7
Canadian Biomass MayJune 2018: Page 7
