Bonin sees new biodiesel plant before summer.

• Author: Ross, Ian
• Position: SPECIAL REPORT: GREATER SUDBURY

The Greater Sudbury-based proponents of Canada's first commercial biodiesel manufacturing plant are expectant their vision will become reality this year.

Nickel Belt MP Ray Bonin expects $1.8 million in federal funding will be released by spring to subsidize a private alternative fuel producer--Topia Energy of Ottawa--in their efforts to build Canada's first commercial biodiesel manufacturing plant in Sudbury.

Bonin emerged from a Dec. 8 Liberal caucus meeting in Ottawa "100-per-cent sure" the project has the approval of Natural Resources Minister John Efford, whose department oversees funding for renewable fuel projects.

Bonin remains "very" confident a plant will be up and running by summer.

Topia Energy wants to build a 20-million-litre-a-year biodiesel manufacturing plant in Sudbury as the first tenant in the city's proposed eco-industrial park on The Kingsway.

Biodiesel is touted as a lubricity agent that prolongs diesel engine life, cleans fuel systems and creates fewer harmful emissions. It's a clean and renewable resource using canola, soy and other agriculture feedstock that may create a new market for crop farmers in Northern Ontario.

Bonin wants an official letter of approval for the project from Efford. That could fast-track the project and allow Topia to start construction sooner rather than later.

"We know in the spring it will be approved, but we're pushing government to do it now," says Bonin.

He wants agricultural groups in northeastern Ontario to think biodiesel in planning their crops for the upcoming season.

After months of lobbying, Bonin says the biodiesel project has the personal support of Prime Minister Paul Martin as well as approvals from the Ministers of Industry, Finance and Environment, and FedNor Minister of State Joe Comuzzi.

In last spring's federal budget, the Liberals unveiled a $1-billion plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions with a green energy investment fund for renewable energy technologies. The initiative was funded through Ottawa's sale of its shares of Petro Canada.

About $200 million from the sale was earmarked for a Winnipeg environmental foundation with $800 million to support emerging environmental technologies over seven years.

Bonin says money is...