Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced support for 55 innovative new projects aimed at producing and using energy in a cleaner, more efficient way. Support is being provided through the Government of Canada’s ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative, which was introduced in Budget 2011, and is being led by Natural Resources Canada.
The Prime Minister was joined by Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry and Minister of State (Agriculture), and Steven Blaney, Minister of Veteran Affairs and Minister for La Francophonie.
“Our Government is positioning Canada as a global leader in the clean energy sector by supporting innovative projects across the country aimed at producing and using energy in a cleaner and more efficient way,” said the Prime Minister. “The research and development generated by the projects being announced today will also maintain and create jobs, while benefitting the environment.”
Of the 55 projects receiving support, 15 will be pre-commercialisation demonstration projects to test the feasibility of various technologies, and 40 will be research and development projects to address knowledge gaps and bring technologies from the conceptual stage to the ready-to-be-tested stage of development. The projects will be undertaken in seven provinces and two territories and will focus on research in the following areas: energy efficiency; clean electricity and renewables; bioenergy; electrification of transportation; and, unconventional oil and gas.
[mappress]
Press release, May 7, 2013; Image: pm.gc