Sudbury is investigating another renewable energy first?the first biodiesel manufacturing plant in Canada. An Ottawa group has completed a feasibility study with city staff assistance to see if this city would be appropriate. If local mining companies, municipal and commercial fleet owners and trucking companies are convinced biodiesel, a vegetable-based fuel, is both economical and practical, and area farmers are willing to grow the feedstock, Sudbury could see the construction of an initial modular facility able to produce 3,000,000 litres of a high BTU fuel.
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BILL BRADLEY |
With properties similar to No. 2 petroleum, biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine, either in commercial vehicle fleets, underground in mining machinery or in your tractor or generator.
Proponents Govindh Jayaraman and Ben Polley of Topia Energy of Ottawa appeared before city council Thursday night to pitch councillors on the concept, based on the results of their study.
Councillors were told biodiesel plants are located in every industrial country except Canada. Biodiesel fuel has been approved by engine manufacturers and can be used in any diesel engine. It is safe and non toxic, generates a clean exhaust, and can be blended in any ratio with petrodiesel as required for colder climates.
Although the plant jobs will be modest, there are possibilities for spin-off businesses. One by-product of the production process, glycerin, could be a value-added product. Protein bars, supplements, pharmaceuticals and lotions could generate up to $2 million per year in economic benefits, said Jayaraman.
Local farmers, here in the city and beyond, (from Manitoulin to New Liskeard) would be required to grow feedstock for the plant, either soybeans or canola. Agricultural impact could total almost $11 million.
Councillor Ron Bradley noted proponents had been in Valley East to discuss the project with people from the agricultural sector.
Jaraman noted there had been follow-up discussions with participants there and in New Liskeard, but ?now is the time to bring this another level now that a feasibility study is complete.?
However, city councillors cautioned the proponents in asking for any financial assistance, especially since Thursday?s meeting was dominated earlier by proposed painful service cuts to outlying libraries, pools and ski hills.
?We don?t have any money? stated Councillor Louise Portelance.
Paul Finley, business development officer with the City of Greater Sudbury said, based on the proponents negotiating successful commitments from area partners, ?they can bring in the components for the plant in on a very large trailer very quickly within the next six months.?
In addition, council was told that both federal and provincial governments are keen on supporting biodiesel production to meet our Kyoto commitments and reduce smog in southern Ontario. Increasing Iraq tensions are also causing diesel gas prices to escalate.
Finally, while many critics feel this project is reminiscent of the failed Sunthetics ethanol plant project of a decade ago, where this city?s hopes were dashed, it is up to city staffers Finley and Paul Graham from engineering, and city councillors themselves to ensure this project and its proponents offer a genuine economic and ecological project worthy of our city?s respect.
