Released on March 6, 2001
The University of Regina continues strengthening its presence in the fieldof climate change technology with the creation of a new facility for
leading-edge research on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, especially
emissions produced by the energy sector.
Natural Resources Canada Minister Ralph Goodale, Economic and Co-operative
Development Minister Eldon Lautermilch and University of Regina Vice-
President (Research) Dr. Amit Chakma today announced the establishment of
the Greenhouse Gas Technology Centre. Research conducted at the centre
will help Canada respond to its international environmental commitments on
climate change, while pioneering the global reduction of greenhouse gas
emissions over the long term.
An existing maintenance building on campus will be renovated and expanded
to house the $5.66 million facility. The 25,290-foot expansion will
include a high-ceiling pilot plant section, wet labs and offices.
Western Economic Diversification Canada will provide $2.83 million over two
years for construction and renovation costs. Saskatchewan Economic and Co-
operative Development will match this contribution through its portion of
the Canada/Saskatchewan Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA). The
University of Regina will contribute $300,000 for project management and
lab refurbishing. The university will also provide annual operating costs
for the centre.
"The Government of Canada is pleased to contribute to a project that
illustrates its commitment to exploring new environmental technologies in
support of our effort to respond to the Kyoto climate change protocol,"
Minister Goodale said, on behalf of Secretary of State for Western Economic
Diversification Ron J. Duhamel. "At the same time, highly-skilled jobs and
economic spinoffs are being created for Saskatchewan."
"This centre will lead to new and economically sound ways to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions in our province," Economic and Co-operative
Development Minister Eldon Lautermilch said. "Our support through WEPA
demonstrates our commitment to a culture of research excellence in
Saskatchewan, builds on the University of Regina's renowned research
expertise in climate change technology, and furthers industrial
diversification in the province."
"The dynamic and innovative research our faculty will be doing in the
Greenhouse Gas Technology Centre will benefit the Saskatchewan community
and beyond," University of Regina President Dr. David Barnard said. "We
will be searching for solutions to problems that threaten the well-being of
the planet."
The new centre builds on the December 1999 funding announcement for the
$8.5 million International Test Centre for Carbon Dioxide Capture. The
International Test Centre consists of: a pre-commercial scale technology
demonstration plant at SaskPower's Boundary Dam Power Station near Estevan
and a pilot plant at the university for greenhouse gas technology
development and screening. The pilot plant was to be located in the
Petroleum Technology Research Centre (PTRC) on campus. However, limited
space at the PTRC would restrict the scope of the greenhouse gas technology
research. The university decided to establish a stand-alone facility.
The larger facility means more greenhouse-gas related research activities
as well as research into optimal energy strategies, including the use of
micro-turbines and the co-generation of heat and electricity. The carbon
dioxide capture technology research will be expanded from investigating
chemical absorption processes to membrane separation and other new
generation technologies. Research conducted on capture techniques will
help decrease the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere and
pave the way for new storage and disposal methods and new industrial uses
for the gas. A technical board comprising of industry and government
sponsors will supervise testing.
This project is an example of how the federal government is prioritizing
its spending so that it can better serve Canadians by making efficient use
of their tax dollars. Funding for the initiative was provided for in the
February 2000 budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal
framework.
-30-
For additional information, contact:
Joanne Mysak Bob Ellis
Manager, Consultations, Marketing and Director, Public Affairs
Communications Economic & Co-operative
Western Economic Diversification Canada Development
Saskatoon Regina
Phone: (306) 975-5942 Phone: (306) 787-1691
WD Toll-Free No.: 1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Therese Stecyk
Communications Officer
WD World Wide Web site: University of Regina
English - http://www.wd.gc.ca Regina
French - http://www.deo.gc.ca Phone: (306) 585-4683