February 16, 2005

Energy, Science and Technology Minister Dave Chomiak today announced an action plan to help Manitoba meet its clean energy commitments while capturing new opportunities associated with the Kyoto Accord.

"The Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance recently gave Manitoba the top mark for energy efficiency in the country, showing Manitoba’s commitment to Kyoto," Chomiak said. "We need to build on the success we have already achieved to ensure we are part of the solution to the issue of global climate change."

Chomiak said Manitoba is building on its national leadership on Kyoto implementation by proceeding with a series of initiatives both to improve energy efficiency and help communities and individuals reduce greenhouse gases. They include:

• Proceeding on strategies to increase use of clean energy alternatives such as new hydroelectric power generation, wind, biodiesel and ethanol.

• Doubling the targets for energy efficiency in Manitoba, building on this province’s first place national ranking.

• Moving forward on initiatives resulting from the memorandum of understanding signed between Manitoba and the federal government on key climate change priorities. This agreement includes renewable energy development, energy efficiency, greenhouse gas emission reductions, carbon sequestration in agriculture and forestry, public education and awareness, research and development.

• Acting as a partner with the federal government on the One-Tonne Challenge to create the Climate Change Community Challenge, supporting local activities to reduce greenhouse gases.

• Doubling the number of geothermal installations in the next two years. Manitoba currently trains 54 per cent of Canada’s installers.

• Helping support development of an advanced-technology, hybrid fuel cell bus prototype.

• Expanding the number of green buildings in Manitoba.

• Increasing the number of alternative fuel vehicles in the government fleet.

Chomiak said the province is also poised to move forward on other new initiatives this spring including a relaunch and rebranding of Efficiency Manitoba.

In addition to its record as a North American leader in geothermal energy and being declared a national leader in energy efficiency, Manitoba has announced Canada’s single largest wind farm, Chomiak said.

In 2000, the province identified climate change as a priority. Some of its first actions included converting the Selkirk coal station to natural gas, making electricity production in the province virtually coal-free. It also established the Climate Change Action Fund with $1 million toward supporting community-based grassroots solutions to greenhouse gas emissions. The province is also making strides in other sources of alternative energy.

"Manitoba is a leader in developing sustainable hydro and earth energy," said Chomiak. "We were first to take the lead in ground source heat pumps, first in Canada to have a hydrogen strategy and first to partner with the federal government in its One-Tonne Challenge. Our province is already benefiting both environmentally and economically."

In 2001, the Climate Change Task Force Report was commissioned. Chaired by Lloyd Axworthy, the task force examined the challenges and opportunities of addressing climate change and presented its report that September.

In 2002, Manitoba gave formal support to the Kyoto Protocol. Since then, the province has supported Canada’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"We call on the federal government to use Manitoba’s example as a blueprint as we deal nationally with the issue of global climate change," Chomiak said.

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