Categories: General
      Date: Mar  6, 2009
     Title: Alterna Energy Project to Receive up to $1.2 M in funding from SDTC

Prince George, BC – Alterna Energy Inc. (Alterna) today stated that it is pleased to have been chosen as one of 16 new projects to be funded by Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), an arm’s-length, not-for-profit corporation created by the Government of Canada. Alterna will build and demonstrate a multi-module biocarbon production facility that will convert 110,000 tonnes of green wood residues (bark, forest waste including pine-beetle killed wood, hog fuel and sawmill residues) annually into 25,000 tonnes of biocarbon. Alterna’s biocarbon conversion process can cost-effectively carbonize and pelletize almost any form of biomass with virtually no external energy inputs. The physical and chemical properties of biocarbon are similar to that of coal. Biocarbon can be utilized in existing coal-fired energy generating stations with limited modifications and, as biocarbon is considered ‘greenhouse gas neutral’ when produced from renewable biomass it can contribute greatly to more sustainable energy production.

“SDTC’s funding for Alterna’s project shows that our carbonization technology is now recognized as being able to contribute to Canada’s emerging green economy and most importantly, to a healthier environment,” said Alterna President & CEO Leonard Legault. “Alterna’s ability to convert biomass into biocarbon which in turn can be used for dozens of commercial applications including as a replacement for coal will help stimulate growth of a new biocarbon industry in Canada.”

In addition to SDTC and the Government of Canada, Alterna would like to thank Northern BC Members of Parliament Hon. Jay Hill and Dick Harris, MP for their support along with Natural Resources Canada – CANMET Energy. Alterna also acknowledges support from the Province of British Columbia which granted Alterna funding from the Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) program last year.

For more on Alterna and its exciting biomass to biocarbon process please visit {cms_selflink page='home' text='www.alternaenergy.ca'}.

Media Contact

Leonard Legault
President & CEO
(250) 649-2460

Gerry Kutney
COO
(250) 649-2460