The provincial government has announced more than $444 thousand in grants to help 20 farms and agribusinesses switch from coal to biomass heating systems.
Each operation will receive up to half the cost of capital or infrastructure upgrades to a maximum of $50 thousand. It's estimated coal use will be reduced by more than 4,500 tonnes per year, while the amount of biomass available for use will increase by 7,600 tonnes per year through these projects, says the province.
As an example, Tri J Industries, a sawmill near the town of Riding Mountain, is receiving around $32,000 to purchase processing equipment that will support its expansion into woodchip biomass.
"The demand for woodchip biomass is growing and this grant will help our company grow along with it," said John Janzen, a partner in Tri J Industries, in the province's news release. "We have always sold firewood in our business, but now we will also be able to produce woodchips to sell to the local market and diversify our company."
The provincial government has promised to use the proceeds from its coal and petroleum coke tax to help coal users convert to biomass. A coal heating ban came into effect on January 1st of this year, but a grace period extends until July 1, 2017 if coal users submit an approved conversion plan before June 30th of this year.
Source: PortageOnline