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Industry-Led Initiative To Cut Greenhouse Gases Gets A Clean Start
A new program to stimulate and coordinate industry efforts towards the adoption and development of sustainable solutions for cleaner power in Western Canada has obtained a federal boost for the next three years.
The Honourable Stephen Owen, Secretary of State (Western Economic Diversification) (Indian Affairs and Northern Development), today announced a funding commitment of $738,000 towards the Eco-efficient and Greenhouse Technologies Program to be implemented by the Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada (PTAC).
"Western Economic Diversification Canada believes that knowledge, innovation and collaboration are the foundation of economic prosperity in the new global economy," said Secretary of State Owen. "The further development and adoption of new low-emission technologies in the hydrocarbon energy industry will stimulate economic growth and enhance our quality of life today and for future generations."
PTAC will be better able to support the efforts of the hydrocarbon energy industry as it works to reduce the negative environmental impacts associated with ongoing exploration, processing, transportation and transmission activities. The association will facilitate access to technology, facilitate workshops, conferences, forums and technology information sessions, and provide neutral facilitation for collaborative research and development.
"This program will shorten the learning curve and time required for the application of new technologies and processes," said Eric Lloyd, President, PTAC. "It will concentrate on the identification and application of technology to address existing industry challenges such as identifying common issues, drafting requests for proposals for joint technology projects and facilitating case and option studies."
Other program partners are the Alberta Innovation and Science through the Alberta Energy Research Institute, providing 2003 funding of $50,000; British Columbia Oil and Gas Commission, providing 2003 funding of $25,000; the Saskatchewan Ministry of Industry and Resources, providing $20,000 per year, over three years; and private industry, contributing $207,000 per year.
The hydrocarbon industry is a key economic driver in Canada and one of the major sources of greenhouse gases in the country. By expanding its facilitation role throughout Western and Northern Canada, PTAC will increase its efforts to accelerate the movement of the hydrocarbon industry to a more sustainable state. The association will play a crucial role in helping to coordinate industry efforts and demonstrating that it's possible to achieve significant and sustainable improvements over the short term.
The Green Toolbox conference, PTAC's first event within its new expanded mandate, will take place September 29th to 30th at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel in Calgary. Industry, academia and government representatives will gather at the conference to discuss current industry challenges, government regulations, and GHGs case studies.
Federal funding for this project was provided for in the February 2003 federal budget.
For additional information, contact:
Laura McNabb
Senior Communications Officer
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Edmonton, Alberta
Tel: (780) 495-6892
Carla Campbell
Media Consultant
Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada
Calgary, Alberta
Tel: (403) 210-0918
http://www.ptac.org/
WD Toll-Free Number:1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
WD Website: www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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Backgrounder
Eco-Efficient and Greenhouse Gas Technologies Program
Partners
PTAC Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada is a major facilitator of innovation, technology transfer and research and technology development for the conventional oil and gas industry in Western Canada. PTAC is a not for profit association with 174 members from industry, government, R & D and learning institutions. Its objective is to improve industry performance in environmental, safety and financial areas by leveraging technology.
Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is a federal department with the mandate of developing and diversifying the economy of Western Canada and advancing the interests of the West in national economic policy. WD has committed $246,000 per year, over three years, towards this project.
Background
Scientific research indicates that the earth’s climate is changing in part due to human activities such as heavy use of fossil fuels for heating, transportation and electricity, and the emission of large quantities of greenhouse gases.
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are gases in the atmosphere like ozone, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N20) that help keep the earth’s average temperature at the levels we know, so life is possible. The accumulation of GHGs is contributing to global warming, which will have serious implications for our health and the economy.
The hydrocarbon industry is a major driver of Canada’s economy but also a major source of greenhouse gases. The industry now faces the dilemma of continuing to supply hydrocarbon energy well into the future and at competitive levels, while mitigating the environmental impact, locally and globally and maintaining the quality of life of all Canadians.
Some of the emissions attributed to the oil and gas industry are: emissions from the extraction of hydrogen from natural gas, fugitive emissions during exploration, production and transportation; combustion emissions from fuel generated for the exploration and extraction of oil and gas, the upgrading of oilsands, as well as the transportation and distribution of natural gas.
Description
This project will allow PTAC to facilitate increased adoption of sustainable, eco-efficient and economical greenhouse gas reducing technologies in the hydrocarbon energy industry through western and northern Canada.
Program objectives are to:
1) Assist industry to define sustainability problems and needs,
2) Identify and overcome barriers,
3) Assess technology options,
4) Transfer technology into practice, and
5) Monitor progress.
A three personnel specialized unit will facilitate access to new technology, coordinate events such as workshops, conferences, forums and technology information sessions, and provide neutral facilitation for collaborative research and development.
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