Rural Economic Development (RED) Program
News Release

For Immediate Release

July 6, 2005

Ontario Supports Environmental Initiative in Ste-Anne-De-Prescott

Invests In Waste Management Feasibility Study

Ste-Anne-De-Prescott -- The Ontario government is helping the village of Ste-Anne-de-Prescott protect the environment by investing in a waste management feasibility study, Jean-Marc Lalonde, MPP for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell announced today on behalf of John Gerretsen, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

"Our government has a plan to help Ontario's rural communities prosper," said Lalonde. "By helping the village plan for the future disposal of animal and human wastes, we are giving them the tools they need to prosper in the future."

The Ontario government will contribute $31,180 to the project led by the village of Ste-Anne-de-Prescott and its partner the Township of East Hawkesbury. The project will establish a business case for the construction of a manure and biosolids digester that would address the village's need for anaerobic digester technology. The project, initiated following the introduction of the Nutrient Management Act, will also determine the feasibility of constructing a greenhouse that would use the methane gas emissions from the digester as green renewable energy.

"Finding and supporting cleaner, greener, more sustainable sources of electricity is a top priority for our government," said Minister of Energy Dwight Duncan. "Increasing our supply of renewable energy will help us reduce our reliance on coal-fired generation, which will provide cleaner air and a better quality of life for Ontarians."

This funding is excellent news for the Economic Development Committee of Ste-Anne-de-Prescott and the Township of East Hawkesbury," said Robert Kirby, mayor of East Hawkesbury. "We thank the Ontario government for its support."

"Using manure to produce electricity is good for the environment and good for the economy," said David Sherwood, coordinator of the economic development committee of Ste-Anne-de-Prescott. "The concept supports local family farms through a form of joint ownership. This approach has never been studied before and the government's assistance is making it possible."

Today's investment was made through the Rural Economic Development (RED) program, which invests in projects that support sustainable rural economies and community partnerships, and is a key part of Ontario's Rural Plan. The rural plan provides a coordinated framework across government to build on rural Ontario's strengths -- committed people, diverse economic opportunities, unrivalled resources and a solid sense of community.

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