EDMONTON, ALBERTA — (Marketwired) — 05/16/13 — The is offering up to a total of $50 million in funding for projects that can reduce emissions from fossil fuel production and processing. Initial submissions are due by September 27.
“Alberta has a wealth of energy resources and we are striving to find innovative ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions linked to fossil fuel production,” said CCEMC Chair Eric Newell. “This is one more way that the CCEMC is supporting Canada–s efforts to become a leader in energy production and cleaner technology.”
Eligible projects will reduce emissions from extraction, preparation, upgrading, refining, and other processing of fossil fuels, including conversion to petro-chemicals. Successful projects will have strong potential to make significant, verifiable and sustainable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
The CCEMC has already funded a variety projects that reduce emissions from fossil fuels. For example, a pilot project testing Bitumen Extraction Solvent Technology (BEST) uses propane or butane injected as a vapour for in-situ bitumen extraction. A project led by the uses electromagnetic heating (radio waves) to heat oil sands and a solvent to dilute and mobilize the bitumen for extraction and processing. The Hi-Q Heavy Crude Quality Improvement demonstration project has the potential to reduce emissions through relatively low energy-intensity upgrading processes that eliminate the need for diluting agents, effectively increasing product volume that can be transported through existing pipelines.
The CCEMC funds projects through grants, and seeks reduced greenhouse gas emissions as a result of its investment. Supported technologies are expected to be commercialized and broadly deployed into the marketplace.
The maximum the CCEMC will contribute to an individual project for this call for proposals is $10 million, and up to one half of a project–s eligible expenses. The CCEMC will not match other government funds, including offset credits, or in-kind (non-cash) contributions. Full details about applying for this Expression of Interest are available on ccemc.ca.
For this Expression of Interest, the CCEMC will consider innovative projects at all stages of development. Projects must be completed within three years of initiating work. While the project can occur anywhere, the technology must be applicable for use in Alberta. Successful projects will be announced in the summer of 2014.
This is the eighth time that the CCEMC has invited project submissions for funding through inviting Expressions of Interest. In addition to this Expression of Interest, the CCEMC is also currently inviting submissions for the $35 million .
The CCEMC focuses on stimulating transformative change. The CCEMC is a not-for-profit corporation that operates independently of government. It provides ongoing, dedicated funds to support the discovery, development and deployment of innovative clean technology.
Funding for the CCEMC is collected from industry. Since 2007, Alberta facilities that annually produce more than 100,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions are legally required to reduce their greenhouse gas intensity. Companies have four options to meet their reduction targets: improve the efficiency of their operations, buy carbon credits in the Alberta-based offset system, purchase emission performance credits, or pay $15 into the Climate Change and Emissions Management Fund for every tonne over a facility–s reduction limit. The CCEMC invests the money collected into the discovery, development and deployment of clean technology.
Note to editors: CCEMC Managing Director Kirk Andries is available for interviews.
Contacts:
Climate Change and Emissions Management (CCEMC) Corporation
Celia Sollows
780-230-4150