Shore power means better air quality for Montreal
MONTREAL, July 31, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, on behalf of the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, joined Robert Poëti, Quebec Minister of Transport, and Sylvie Vachon, President and CEO, Montreal Port Authority, in announcing today new funding for the installation of shore power at the Port of Montreal.
Shore power is a highly effective way to reduce marine diesel air emissions. Shore power improves local air quality by enabling ships to shut down their engines and connect to the electrical grid in order to provide necessary power while docked.
Two types of systems will be installed at the Port of Montreal with this project. One is a shore power connection for cruise ships at the Alexandra Pier and the other is a four connection shore power system for wintering ships.
Total greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reductions resulting from this project are expected to reach 2,800 tonnes annually – 1,300 tonnes from cruise ship connections and 1,500 tonnes from wintering ships.
The total cost of the project is $11M. The Government of Canada is providing up to $5M under its Shore Power Technology for Ports Program. The Government of Quebec is providing $3M and the Montreal Port Authority is providing the remaining $3M.
Quick Facts
- The Shore Power Technology for Ports Program is part of the Government of Canada's ongoing efforts to improve air quality and limit GHG emissions from the Canadian transportation sector.
- This program is financed by the Green Fund, under the portfolio of David Heurtel, Minister of Sustainable Development, the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change. The fund's revenues are drawn mainly from the carbon market as part of the 2013-20 Action Plan on Climate Change and this fund has a $29.1M budget until March 31, 2017.
- For Quebec, this means a 1.368 tonne reduction in GHGs annually.
- Shore power technology for ports, also called marine shore power, is a leading-edge technology that allows ships to plug into the local electrical grid to power the vessel while at port.
- This provides power to ship equipment such as electric pumps, lighting, and water heating, avoiding the use of auxiliary diesel engines which consume fuel, produce GHG and air pollutant emission.
Quotes
"We are proud to be investing in shore power in the Port of Montreal. In addition to the environmental benefits, shore power is expected to contribute positively to tourism and create jobs. The new shore power will allow the Port of Montreal to maintain and eventually grow the cruise business by allowing the port to stay competitive with other ports offering the service."
The Honourable Denis Lebel
Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
"With this investment, our government shows its commitment to ensure Québec's economic well-being in terms of sustainable development. Apart from making maritime transportation more effective, this investment also supports the implementation of measures that will benefit the environment. We are also contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by promoting the introduction of new transportation technologies."
Robert Poëti
Quebec Minister of Transport and Minister responsible for the Montreal region
"I warmly thank the governments of Canada and Quebec for their generous contribution to this shore power project, which will significantly reduce GHG emissions at the Port of Montreal. For us, sustainable development is an approach that rises above the obligation to conform to various environmental laws and regulations. We are committed to always evaluate options that will improve our environmental footprint, and this project is a concrete and significant example of this approach."
Sylvie Vachon
President and CEO, Montreal Port Authority
Associated Link
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SOURCE Transport Canada
Zach Segal, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa, 613-991-0700; Media Relations, Transport Canada, Ottawa, 613-993-0055; Anne-Catherine Couture, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Transport of Quebec, [email protected], 418-643-6980; Mélanie Nadeau, Director of Communications, Montreal Port Authority, [email protected], 514-283-1385
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