October 2, 2009

MOORETOWN, ONTARIO - Thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada, up to $109.97 million will support the production of ethanol in Ontario, sustain job creation and help stimulate the economy. Today, Pat Davidson, Member of Parliament for Sarnia-Lambton, on behalf of the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, announced that the ecoENERGY for Biofuels program will deliver the investment to Suncor Energy's St. Clair plant to help strengthen the Canadian renewable fuel industry.

"The Government of Canada is delivering results for families and workers in Mooretown," said Ms. Davidson. "By investing in this project, we are helping to create and sustain local jobs and economic opportunities while encouraging a healthier environment for all Canadians."

Compared with gasoline, grain-based ethanol can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 40 percent on a life-cycle basis. For biodiesel, the emissions reduction can be as much as 60 percent.

"Today's announcement is testament to the benefits of collaboration - when the potential of a private industry project is realized through public sector support," said Rick George, President and CEO of Suncor Energy Inc. "Thanks in part to funding from the Canadian Government, the St. Clair Ethanol Plant has become the platform for growth of Suncor's biofuels portfolio."

The Government of Canada will invest up to $1.5 billion over nine years through the ecoENERGY for Biofuels program. The Government of Canada's Economic Action Plan also dedicates $1 billion to the Clean Energy Fund and $1 billion for the Green Infrastructure Fund to provide additional economic stimulus while promoting a cleaner, more sustainable energy future for Canadians.

Renewable energy sources are increasingly becoming part of Canada's energy mix. To build on this momentum, Minister Raitt is hosting three roundtables - with the provinces and territories, industry, researchers and the financial community - to discuss strategies for securing a strong energy economy in the long term.

• ecoENERGY for Biofuels - Backgrounder