Rural Economic Development (RED) Program
News Release

For Immediate Release

October 25, 2004

Ontario Helps Advance Sustainable Green Power Generation

Major Investment In Biogas Conversion Technology To Produce Electricity, Organic Fertilizer

Lucan, Ontario - The Ontario government is partnering on a project that will reduce greenhouse gases from manure and generate green power, Agriculture and Food Minister Steve Peters and Energy Minister Dwight Duncan announced today.

"This project demonstrates how the province, along with other levels of government, the agriculture industry and community partners can work together to create real, positive opportunities with direct community benefits," said Peters. "The McGuinty government is helping build strong, healthy and prosperous communities in rural Ontario through projects like this one."

The government of Ontario will invest $1,604,603 towards the creation of an integrated anaerobic digestion facility that will convert biogas from manure into heat and electricity. The Lynn Cattle Company Inc. will produce substantial amounts of electricity - enough to power its own operations as well as to sell surplus electricity on the market. The Municipality of North Middlesex has agreed to purchase 2,500 megawatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to power all municipally owned property for the year, making it the first green-powered municipality in Canada.

"The McGuinty government is committed to cleaner energy options, and we want this initiative to lead the way for more biogas conversion projects across the province," said Duncan. "It's a win-win situation for everyone - we are able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and our dependence on non-renewable forms of energy, while creating new economic opportunities in rural Ontario."

"This project could not have been possible without the support of the provincial government and our other partners," said Philip Lynn, owner of Lynn Cattle Company. "This will have significant benefits for the agriculture industry, the environment, and rural infrastructure and economic development."

Additional benefits of the project include the creation of three full-time positions and an 80 per cent reduction of farm odours.

Today's investment was made through Ontario's Rural Economic Development (RED) program, which invests in projects that support sustainable rural economies and community partnerships. Through the RED program, the provincial government and its partners are making rural Ontario strong, healthy and prosperous.

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