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POP: Ethanol Use

POP: Yes
Res #: POP 2-01M
Number: 2
Year: 2001
Midterm: Yes
Expired: Yes
Responses Received: No

Point of Privilege Resolution No. 2-01M

WHEREAS, Canada, as a partner, of the Kyoto Agreement on clean air must move towards improving air quality; and

WHEREAS, the amount of carbon dioxide produced by fossil fuels will continue to intensify the Earth’s Greenhouse effect; and

WHEREAS, the production and use of Ethanol reduces the amount of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide into the air; and

WHEREAS, there is a strong possibility that there will be Ethanol plants being constructed in Saskatchewan; and

WHEREAS, the Ethanol Industry is a valuable, value added agricultural industry; and WHEREAS, at the present time there is no legislation in place to guarantee a market for Ethanol in Saskatchewan,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that SARM request the Provincial Government implement compulsory legislation requiring that Ethanol make up at least 5% of the volume of gasoline and diesel fuel sold in Saskatchewan, with this volume to be increased to 10% in gasoline and 15% in diesel fuel as production increases.

Response from Andrew Thomson, Minister of Energy and Mines:

In reviewing (this) resolution, I note that SARM now favours legislating the ise of ethanol in gasoline and diesel fuels. While mandating the use of ethanol may be an option sometime in the future, it may not be the most effective strategy when trying to develop a provincial industry. The Provincial Government may be prepared to look at some form of mandating in the future, once production in the province can meet mandating requirements. Otherwise, the province would be forced to import ethanol to meet requirements. The production facilities, the jobs, and the benefits to rural Saskatchewan would not materialize. This clearly is not in the best interest of developing a Saskatchewan ethanol industry. Having said this, I appreciate having SARM's views on ethanol.