News Section

BioStreet Canada Engages Trimark Engineering for Biodiesel Project

Another milestone has been reached for BioStreet Canada’s Vegreville, Alberta biodiesel project. The year 2008 promises to be a busy one for the team, which now includes Trimark Engineering, headquartered in Lethbridge.

“We’re pleased to be moving forward with some momentum now,” said Darrell Michaels, President of BioStreet. “Engaging Trimark Engineering and then selecting the technology providers is a huge leap forward from 2007.” Mr. Michaels spent several weeks in Alberta during the winter, raising investments from producers to ensure the project qualifies for the Federal ecoABC funding.

Vice President, Angela Reid, has recently returned from the National Biodiesel Conference and Expo in Orlando, Florida. “To keep ahead in the industry, we’re integrating long-term sustainability planning into our business model, which includes utilizing unique systems to handle our by-products, as well as selecting the most energy efficient technologies feasible. We will design the plant with maximum flexibility and adaptability in mind, which was a key point made at the conference.”

BioStreet announced the location of their first project in Vegreville on June 1st with Premier Ed Stelmach, and he congratulated the company on their choice of location. “Alberta’s rural economy is benefiting from the increased demand in biofuels, helping to diversify from one largely dependent on oil and gas,” said Stelmach.

Construction of the Vegreville project is slated to begin in 2008 and scheduled for completion in 2010. Once commissioned, the plant will produce 175 million litres of biodiesel, provide over 50 full-time employment opportunities and create a new market for 375 to 400 thousand tonnes of canola.

Premier Ed Stelmach Welcomes New Alberta Biodiesel Refinery

Location of a large-scale biodiesel crusher and refinery announced in Vegreville, Alberta.

Vegreville – BioStreet Canada has finally announced that they will be constructing their 175 million litre per year biodiesel crusher and refinery in Vegreville, Alberta; right in the backyard of Premier Ed Stelmach’s riding, and he congratulated the company on their choice of location. “Alberta’s rural economy is benefiting from the increased demand in biofuels, helping to diversify from one largely dependent on oil and gas.”

In the foreground, left to right, MP Leon Benoit, Premier Ed Stelmach and Vegreville Mayor Richard Coleman.

The Premier was joined by Vegreville’s Mayor, Richard Coleman, and Deputy Reeve of the County of Minburn, Albert Melnyk, to welcome BioStreet during an announcement reception held in the auditorium of the Vegreville Centennial Library on Friday June 1st.

“As Reeve of the County of Minburn and a long time resident farmer of the County, the BioStreet announcement is certainly great news,” said Orest Berezan, County Reeve in a statement supporting the project. “The biofuels development would certainly help the local economy as well as the environment with the production of a renewable, green fuel.”

Construction is slated to begin in late 2007 and scheduled for completion in late 2009. Once commissioned, the plant will provide over 50 full-time employment opportunities and create a new market for 375 to 400 thousand tonnes of canola per year.

The BioStreet team was represented by Darrell Michaels - President, Jim Thomson - CEO, Ron Gorst – COO and Angela Reid - VP of Public and Government Relations.

“Our team is excited to be a part of the rapidly emerging renewable energy economy in Canada, and we look forward to working with the Town, the County, the Province, the Federal Government and canola producers as suppliers and equity investors, to enhance the agriculture industry and make a significant contribution to national renewable fuel targets and Alberta’s Nine Point Bio-energy Plan,” said Angela Reid.

Kelowna Biodiesel Company First to Announce Federal Grant

Calgary - Plans to build a 175 million litre per year biodiesel crusher and refinery in northern Alberta just received a huge vote of confidence from the Federal and Provincial government.

The Biofuels Opportunities for Producers Initiative (BOPI) Program, funded by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada's ACAAF Program, and administered in Alberta by the Agriculture and Food Council, received 44 applications requesting $7.7 million for their first round of funding. Only $900,000 was available. In the final round of reviews the three best projects were selected.

BioStreet's "From Field to Refinery Business Planning" project, was born in recognition of the growing biofuels demand in Canada and around the world, combined with the incredible opportunities to develop closed-loop, cluster-oriented operations, from field to refinery in Alberta.

Darrell Michaels, Chair and CEO, recognizes the significance of this funding. "This announcement demonstrates to our shareholders and partners that two levels of government experts believe our strategy and plan to be one of the best in this emerging Canadian industry."

On the heels of recent announcements made by the Federal Government to fund alternative energy, it seems all political parties have jumped on the "green" bandwagon as recent polls show the environment and climate change as the most important issues to Canadians.

Secretary of the Board and Government Relations Consultant, Angela Reid, is excited about the broad spectrum of benefits this project will create. "This Canadian business model includes significant producer involvement and ownership and will set a new example and benchmark for innovative ways to help revitalize Canada's agricultural sector and stimulate local economies through investments in alternative energy," says Reid. "Increasing Canada's alternative energy capacity will further diversify the predominantly fossil-fuel based energy economy of Canada, and help to support provincial, national and international environmental goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change."

BioStreet's mandate is to design, construct, and operate large-scale commercial oilseed crushers and biodiesel refineries with up to 175 million liters per year production capacity, in Alberta and other Western Canada locations, with a commitment to significant producer participation through equity investment, in addition to strategic relationships and collaborative efforts with major industry players.

Business Development Consultant, Jim Thomson, has been busy bringing these major industry partners to the table, and more announcements are expected soon.

Of particular importance to the success of a project of this size and scope, is a highly competent engineering team. BioStreet's Vice President of Engineering, Peter Rzazewski, has brought together a group of European companies and individuals, with decades of expertise in the planning, design, construction and operation of biodiesel facilities around the world.

In order to meet the Federal Government's commitment to "achieve five percent average renewable fuel in transport fuel by 2010," a domestic demand for 1.2 billion litres of biodiesel per year is anticipated, based on existing consumption of diesel. The largest challenge facing the sector is Canada's lack of capacity to respond to this emerging demand for biodiesel and the market opportunities it presents.

BioStreet will help to fill this void and increase the experience and expertise in the planning, design and construction of biodiesel crushing and refining facilities in Canada, strengthening our country's ability to continue to handle an increased demand for biodiesel.