Green

The beginnings of a biodiesel manufacturing plant could take shape in Sudbury as early as this year as an Ottawa-based green technology company prepares to set up shop as an anchor business in the city’s eco-industrial park.

Plans to implement an energy program at Cambrian College in Greater Sudbury are taking shape.

Twenty-seven years ago when David Leskowski lived on a Saskatchewan farm and made plans to build an anaerobic digester, he came to one conclusion; it was not the right time.

It is hard to decide whether Louis Brown’s neighbours are either very worried or feel very safe living next to the founder of a company specializing in ways to protect people from bio-terrorism.

Building on its strategic priority to capitalize on new environmental and renewable energy opportunities, the City of Greater Sudbury will be developing a biodiesel facility in the city.

A geothermal energy study in Timmins is moving ahead, following a recent funding announcement from the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. Minister Jim Wilson announced in October that the city would receive $45,000 for the study.

Geothermal energy could save the City of Timmins money on heating and air-conditioning costs. It could also be used as a tool to attract new businesses.

Plans by Synfuel Technologies, a small Illinois-based energy company, to build a 120-megawatt cogeneration plant in Thunder Bay are progressing, according to Robert Van Patten, president of the company.

Residents in Ontario face a major change in their hydro bill next spring as Hydro One overhauls their rates for some parts of rural Ontario. Dryden is one of 17 municipalities in the province that could see power bills increase by up to 40 per cent.

Forestry companies in the Algoma area opened their woodlots and plantations for viewing and scrutiny as part of an effort to keep the public informed on forestry practices.