Posted Friday, February 25, 2005
Green power budget initiatives an improvement
Forest Industry applauds budget initiative
By Working Forest Staff
“The industry greatly welcomes and applauds the RPPI initiative contained in (the February 23rd) budget. We commend the Government for having recognized the important role that bio-energy can play along with other forms of low impact renewable energy such as wind power in meeting Canada’s economic, social and environmental goals. This measure is a perfect example of a forward thinking initiative that will not only enhance Canada’s competitiveness internationally but will also generate significant environmental, social and economic benefits for all Canadians,” said FPAC President and C.E.O., Avrim Lazar.
Canada’s pulp and paper sector currently derives a full 55% of its own energy demands from biomass, a clean, green, carbon-neutral energy source derived from industrial byproducts such as bark, wood shavings and sawdust. The sector is now the largest industrial source of cogeneration or combined heat and power capacity in Canada. Between biomass-fired cogeneration and small hydro generation, the sector produces enough renewable energy to power Vancouver or Calgary and Edmonton combined. The industry is poised to go even further as a number of breakthrough technologies currently under development hold the potential to dramatically increase this potential.
“Our industry has been a leader in greenhouse gas reductions over the past 10 years. Through continued development of our biomass capacity we can go even further. With the right policy framework, the industry has the potential to be a net exporter of renewable energy. We certainly look forward to working with the government to further develop this budget measure,” added Lazar.
FPAC also welcomed news that higher rates of capital cost allowance will be made available for eligible investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. Accelerating capital stock turnover is critical to improving both the competitiveness and environmental performance of Canadian industry.
FPAC is the voice of Canada’s wood, pulp and paper producers nationally and internationally in government, trade and environmental affairs. Canada’s forest industry represents 3% of Canada’s GDP and exports $40 billion of wood, pulp and paper annually. The industry is one of the Canada’s largest employers, operating in over 1200 Canadian communities and providing 900,000 direct and indirect jobs across the country.
