I would like to comment on a…

I would like to comment on a few things regarding the renewable fuel standard for gasoline in Ontario and the economic impact this could have for rural Northern Ontario municipalities.

I'm an Economic Development Officer for the municipality of Val Rita-Harty and the Township of Opasatika. When I was first hired, part of my job was to promote an Industrial vacant site which is an old Saw mill that closed in 2006. This was the only industry in a small community of 300 resident. This site was promoted to foreign investors to build a biomass pellet plant. As per a study that was conducted in 2007, it was estimated that there was approximately 610,000m3 of wood waste on the site. There's also 1.7 million (GMT) of biomass which is accessible annually (based on a 200km radius). 60,000 cubic meters of larch is currently available in round wood annually and could be grinded into biomass. Does it make sense to concentrate on foreign countries? Why aren't we focusing on the domestic market? Well domestic market will only grow if there's policies in place that will change, such as the renewable fuel standard in Ontario.

Needless to say, the renewable fuel standard for gasoline in Ontario is the key to drive the bio economy sector. I say the higher the standard, the better it will be for all of us.

We want revive our community with a new industry and we need the policies to change in order to drive the demand for bio-fuel. I truly believe that a pilot project is a great start to demonstrate the benefits of refining biomass will have to the economy in Northern Ontario. I would like to see a first project to be establish in Opasatika with the governments support. Once a pilot project demonstrates its social economic impact, this will create an economic spin-off and attract investors from the private sector to tag along.

I am open to further this conversation as I am a true believer of the Bio-Economy and what impact it will have, both on the environment and on the economy in Northern Ontario.

Thank you

[Original Comment ID: 208462]