CALGARY, Alberta, March 25 (UPI) -- The government in the Canadian province of Alberta extended a program to promote the use of non-food crops for alternative energy production to 2016.
Ron Liepert, minister of energy for government of Alberta, said the extension of the provincial program would position Alberta as a leader in renewable and alternative energy.
"Our $146 million investment to date in bioenergy has the potential to leverage up to $1.9 billion from the private sector," he added.
The initiative provides incentives for the development of bioenergy products ranging from fuel to power and heat.
"Specifically, the program will encourage development of new technologies and facilities that use non-food crops, waste biomass or wood," the provincial government said.
The funding extension runs through 2016. Alberta under its renewable fuels standard aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions eventually by 1 million tons. That is the equivalent of removing 200,000 vehicles from Alberta roads.
