Americas News
Gaz Métro Welcomes Québec Funding For Energy Efficiency Programmes
Canadian energy producer Gaz Métro has welcomed plans by the Québec provincial government to make available CA$350 million (U.S.$308 million) of funding for energy efficiency programmes, which it says will increase the use of natural gas for both maritime and other purposes.
Among the beneficiaries of the funding is PETMAF (aid programme for the improvement of maritime, road, and air transport efficiency), which will receive $10 million (U.S.$8.8 million) in between 2017 and 2018.
"We are pleased that the government has listened to industry concerns and that it is making $350 million available to companies," said Stéphanie Trudeau, Gaz Métro's Vice President of Strategy, Communication and Sustainability.
"These additional monies will clearly boost the use of natural gas as a fuel for both heavy vehicles and ships, resulting in a drop in greenhouse gas emissions of up to 25% when compared to diesel."
Gaz Métro is a leading supplier of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in Québec, including for use by ferries in the province.
The Canadian province of Québec operates a cap-and-trade programme whereby large emitters of greenhouse gasses are allocated carbon credits which can be bought and sold.
According to the Québec government, changes to the system will come into force from January 1, 2015, meaning more business fall within the remit of the system, including fuel importers and distributors.
The International Chamber of Shipping recently said that the global shipping industry had reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent between 2007 and 2012.
