1. We are responding…

1. We are responding specifically to the paragraph at the bottom of Page 28, entitled “Maximizing the Use of Mill By-Products”.

2. We are a thermal power engineering firm, based in Ontario, specializing in the generation of heat and power and managing energy at point of use, with offices in Ontario and Calgary.

3. We whole heartedly applaud this initiative by the Province of Ontario. We can attest to the potential is for Ontario’s biomass to reduce the use of fossil fuels and therefore reduce our CO2 footprint.

4. The combustion of biomass to produce heat and power is proven and widely used around the world.

5. However, there is now also technology to convert biomass (and especially Mill by-products) into a synthetic gas.

6. This “syngas” can then be used in existing boilers instead of natural gas.

7. This gasification of biomass technology has now been proven in Western and Central Europe, with many installations now in operation. There are none of these types of syngas in Ontario.

8. It is now therefore, technically feasible to convert local biomass such as wood chips, bark, sawdust and shavings into steam or hot water or hot oil, such that natural gas utilization is reduced.

9. In the past, it has been a challenge to get environmental approvals in place. However, with Guideline A-13 and A-14 now in place, this obstacle has been removed.

10. In conclusion, the opportunity for the Ontario Forest Sector to help industries and MUSH (Municipal, Universities, Schools, Hospitals) customers reduce their dependency on fossil fuels is staggering.