WELLAND, ON, Jan. 27, 2014 /CNW/ - Today marks the establishment of the Ontario Biodiesel Association (OBA) and the founding members welcome this opportunity to collaborate and promote the production and use of this renewable and responsible fuel.
OBA members currently produce 100% of the grain-oil based biodiesel in Ontario which accounts for 75% of the total provincial production capacity of all biodiesel. OBA members have invested over $80 million in plant and equipment to produce biodiesel in the province. Besides environmental benefits, the biodiesel industry provides a direct and indirect positive economic impact on the province and its agricultural sector.
May 2, 2013, the Honourable Charles Sousa, Ontario Minister of Finance, announced and committed to through the government's budget, a consultation process to develop a Biodiesel policy for Ontario. That process began in July 2013 and the creation of the Ontario Biodiesel Association demonstrates the industry's commitment to the collective interests and concerns of the industry.
Biodiesel is a renewable fuel that reduces green house gas (GHG) emissions by 99% when compared with petroleum based diesel. Further, an Ontario mandate to blend mineral diesel with 2% biodiesel would create a demand for production of 600,000 tonnes of Ontario soybeans annually, supporting Ontario soy growers.
OBA members - Methes Energies Canada Inc. located in Mississauga and Sombra (55 million liters/year), Great Lakes Biodiesel (GLB) in Welland (170 million liters/year), and Noroxel Energy Limited in Springfield, just outside of Alymer (5 million liters/year) - are excited about the future of biodiesel and look forward to working with the government to achieve its environmental goals through establishing and participating in the development of sound policy to ensure a viable supply of biodiesel in Ontario.
Like the biodiesel associations that exist in Western Canada and Quebec, the OBA will represent the biodiesel producers in Ontario and address those issues which are important on both a provincial and federal level for the producers.
"OBA's strength is the unity of biodiesel producers, supporting Provincial policy development, to improve Ontario's air quality by promoting increased use of Biodiesel. The OBA is working with the Ontario government, feedstock suppliers and other key stakeholders to the industry to reach this goal." Paul Grenier, Executive Director, Ontario Biodiesel Association"
Ontario Biodiesel Association (OBA) Background
Founding Members
Methes Energies Canada Inc., Mississauga, Ontario and Sombra Ontario .
www.methes.com/
Great Lakes Biodiesel (GLB), Welland.
www.greatlakesbiodiesel.ca
Noroxel Energy Limited, Springfield.
www.noroxelenergy.com
Executive Director, Paul Grenier
With a background in waste management, renewable energy, sales, and government (current three term city councillor in Welland), Mr. Grenier is located in Welland, Ontario and has been working with biodiesel industry members for over a year as a provincial advocate.
Image with caption: "Ontario Biodiesel Producers form Association (CNW Group/Ontario Biodiesel Association)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140127_C5485_PHOTO_EN_35928.jpg
SOURCE: Ontario Biodiesel Association
Paul Grenier
Executive Director
Ontario Biodiesel Association
(289) 820-6477
(905) 380-4787 (cell)
[email protected]
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