Biomass potential still untapped, but advocates say its time will come

Province says biomass will be a $2-billion industry by the end of the decade, 
but admits it doesn’t even know the current size of the sector

Biomass proponents in Manitoba say new government policies are needed if the industry is going to develop in a meaningful way, especially in the face of cheap natural gas. “The current energy policy in this province, and it’s not Manitoba Hydro’s fault, is to get cheap energy, cheap electricity especially — that’s their mandate, that’s



Changing energy landscape means opportunity for Canadian agriculture

Canada’s agriculture industry is in a unique position to meet changing global energy demands, Farm Credit Canada says in its latest Knowledge Insider report. The issue highlights shifts in the energy landscape, and what it may mean for Canadian producers and agribusiness owners. “Two things are for certain,” says Kellie Garrett, senior vice-president of strategy,



Unblended biofuel takes first flight

The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) says it achieved a major milestone for the aviation industry Oct. 29 as it flew the first civil jet powered by 100 per cent unblended biofuel. “This historic flight symbolizes a significant step not only for the aerospace industry, but also towards advancing sustainable sources of renewable energy,”


Group eyes technology to turn garbage and straw into oil

It looks good on paper but it sounds too good to be true. A Manitoba group is keen to find out if a Swiss machine can actually make synthetic crude oil out of garbage, straw and manure. “This does work on paper and is working in other places (including Germany),” consultant Normand Mabon said at

Food crisis strengthens EU biofuel critics

Drought-stricken crops and record-high grain prices have strengthened critics of the European Union biofuel industry, adding fears of a food crisis to their claims that it does not ultimately reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The renewed anxiety adds to pressure on the EU’s executive commission to forge a deal this year to help ensure that EU


School powers LED message board with wind turbine

Oak Lake Community School turns need for community and school messaging 
into a teachable moment about renewable energy

The new electronic messaging board at Oak Lake Community School is just part of the school’s latest commitment to going green. The sign, which uses energy-saving LED light bulbs, will not only reduce the need to send home paper notices, but is powered by a small wind turbine. That makes it a tool for teaching

Obama calls for end to direct payments

With Congress beginning an overhaul of U.S. farm law, President Barack Obama called Feb. 13 for elimination of a $5-billion-a-year subsidy paid to farmers regardless of need but held steady funding for the department’s often-criticized data forecasting arm. Obama proposed reforms totalling $32 billion over 10 years for farm supports in his new budget. It