Issues in Contemporary Agriculture: Fuel

BC Renewable Agri-Energy Initiative

(BCBN Press Release, November 5, 2009)  The BC Bioenergy Network ("BCBN"), a provincially-funded leader supporting the growing bioenergy sector in British Columbia, announced today a $100,000 investment with the BC Agricultural Research and Development Corporation ("ARDCorp"). The funding will enable ARDCorp to develop a comprehensive strategy and business plan for a Renewable Agri-Energy Initiative.

The Renewable Agri-energy Initiative will increase awareness of renewable agri-energy opportunities for BC farmers, assist in removing barriers to implementing renewable energy projects, and support the development and promotion of renewable agri-energy projects.

Renewable agri-energy will involve adoption of on and off farm technologies that utilize waste agricultural feedstocks such as crop by-products, livestock waste, and food processing waste to produce energy. Developing these processes will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce dependency on fossil fuel and allow for better use of residual nutrients.

"Bioenergy solutions like this Renewable Agri-energy Initiative will help B.C. meet our future energy demands and reach our greenhouse gas reduction targets," said Blair Lekstrom, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. "This will build on our position as Canada's bioenergy leader by providing new opportunities for B.C. farmers to produce clean, renewable energy."

"It's essential that agricultural producers and processors be supported in their efforts to implement renewable energy projects," said Steve Thomson, Minister of Agriculture and Lands. "The eyes of the world will be on B.C. in 2010, and we want to showcase our tremendous agricultural sector with its focus on innovation and technology that supports our leadership in the green economy."

"We are very excited to support the development of agri-energy in British Columbia through this capacity building project," said Michael Weedon, Executive Director of the BC Bioenergy Network. "Using waste to provide heat, power, and diversified feedstocks, while reducing odor and waste disposal requirements is good business for farmers, food producers, and communities and will contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases in BC."

"This initiative will encourage BC farmers to contribute to the province's green energy initiatives," said Dick Klein Geltink, Chair of ARDCorp. "It will help BC farmers understand and implement renewable agri-energy initiatives and strengthen the long term sustainability of the agriculture sector. ARDCorp is pleased to be partnering with BCBN to facilitate and encourage development of renewable energy sources."

For more information about the BCBN, visit www.bcbioenergy.ca.