Coal users in Manitoba are being offered funding assistance to encourage them to switch to biomass energy products.
The Manitoba Biomass Energy Support Program provides $400,000 in funds to help coal users switch and to support the expansion of the biomass energy production industry.
Biomass can be produced from residue such as straw, oat hulls and flax shives.
The multi-year program could increase to $1.5 million later this year based on revenue expected from the emissions tax on coal that came into effect Jan. 1.
The consumer support component provides grants of up to $12,000 to coal users to help offset the price differential between coal and biomass products from Jan. 1 to March 31.
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The capital aspect provides grants of up to $50,000 to help biomass users and processors develop renewable biomass products for use in combustion heating systems.
Money will be used for infrastructure upgrades required to manufacture or consume biomass fuel, including expansion of existing facilities or development of new ones.
Applicants may include farms, communities, rural business and industrial users.
Grant applications must be received by March 9.
Application forms are available at www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/ or Manitoba Agriculture’s Go offices.
