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From www.chok.com   CHOK Radio

Naming rights for the Sarnia Sports and Entertainment Centre have been granted to one of the largest corporations in Canada. The official name of the facility is now "The RBC Centre." The Royal Bank of Canada has entered a 5 year commitment with an option for another 5 years but dollar amounts are not being disclosed. Sarnia Sting President Larry Ciccarelli says they're taking a 15 year partnership with RBC to another level. He says the RBC name raises the profile of the 10 year old facility. Mayor Mike Bradley says naming rights revenue will help renew the building and keep it economically viable.
 

By Paul Morden, The Observer    www.theobserver.ca

PETROLIA — With construction of a new $819,000 location set to begin in the next few weeks, vendors at Petrolia’s Farmers Market say they’re pleased with the venture’s first year. “It has been a good little market,” said John Zekveld, after loading up a customer with fresh fruit and vegetables. “The people who have organized it have done a superb job getting the word out.”

The Saturday morning market, running 7 a.m. to noon, opened in early June at the town’s arena, the Greenwood Recreation Centre, and then moved over to the nearby Greenwood Palace when hockey season began. It attracted 7,000 shoppers over its first nine weeks of operation and more than a dozen vendors agreed to stay on through Oct. 10.

“It has been beyond our expectations,” said Chad Anderson of Bluewater Beef. “We’ve had a steady bunch going through every week.” Anderson said there has been talk of expanding the market to two days a week next season.

In late August, the town received a federal stimulus grant to build a new 24-stall market pavilion on the site of the feed mill behind the town's library.

“It’s always wonderful to see markets totally supported by the town,” said Chris Williamson. The Williamson farm, located near Ipperwash, attends three farmers markets around Lambton each week, and Williamson is involved in the Locally Lambton farm guide map and website that promotes local farms that sell their products directly to consumers. A permanent location downtown should help make the Petrolia market more recognizable and easier to find, she said. Williamson said the Locally Lambton group is looking at ways of updating its website, www.locallylambton.com, so it can let the public know what’s available at local farm outlets, including the farmers’ markets. Coun. John Phair said design work on the new market is underway and the town is searching for a contractor. “Construction should start within weeks,” he said. Plans are to have the pavilion finished by the end of March, in time for the market’s spring opening, Phair said. He said he believes the new location will help the market grow, and help other main street merchants by attracting more people to Petrolia. “It’s right in the heart of town,” Phair said. “I don’t think you could get a better location.” As well as being next to the library, located in the town’s former railway station, and across the road from Victoria Hall, the new market will be close to a new apartment project aimed at seniors that is slated to be built in the same area, Phair said. The plans include landscaping around the pavilion, he said. “When it’s finished, I think it will be used all the time by the public.” Anderson said he’s looking forward to setting up in the new location next spring. “A new building and everything,” he said, “it can’t be bad.

Article ID# 1771598

sjeffords@theobserver.ca  The Observer  www.theobserver.ca

Sarnia-Lambton is poised to take advantage of a new provincial commitment to Green energy. So says Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership general manager George Mallay, reacting Thursday to new regulations for the Green Energy Act.

The rules include a requirement for domestic content that ensures 25 per cent of wind and 50 per cent of solar projects be produced in Ontario. Mallay said that could draw more manufacturing and servicing jobs to an area already ahead of the curve on green energy. “We’ve aggressively positioned Sarnia-Lambton for renewable energy projects,” he said. “We hope we’ll be successful in bringing more jobs.” Mallay said his group has been marketing the community at green energy trade shows across North America, part of an effort to diversify Sarnia’s economy.

“We can have existing companies in our area going after contracts because every time a wind turbine is put up you need cranes, engineering capabilities,” he said. Lambton College is also getting in on the act, offering a alternative energy technology program to produce workers ready to enter a green energy job market. “There will be a lot of opportunities for graduates,” Mallay said.

Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley, who chairs the economic partnership, said the new rules are a “carrot” for home-grown green manufacturing. “We now have to fight our way through every other economic development commission that has decided to get into the game,” he said. “Despite this policy, there are a number of reasons why we have the largest solar farm in North America being built here,” Bradley said, referring to First Solar’s massive project on the city’s southeast side.

Just a day after announcing the new rules, government officials announced a plan to create manufacturing jobs building residential and small commercial wind turbines in Windsor. The province is providing $2.7 million to help the company establish its Ontario operations, while the company is investing an additional $2.7 million. The investment will create 174 new jobs by 2012, officials predict. The government hopes to create more than 50,000 jobs in the next three years as projects get underway.

Article ID# 1771447
 

From the Government of Ontario www.ontario.ca

New regulations introduced today will create thousands of jobs in the new green economy under Ontario's Green Energy Act.

Ontario's new regulations provide a stable investment environment where companies know what the rules are -- giving them the confidence to invest in Ontario, hire workers, and produce and sell renewable energy.

The major components of Ontario's Green Energy Act include:

A Feed-In-Tariff program, which allows individuals and companies to sell renewable energy -- like solar, wind, water, biomass, biogas and landfill gas -- into the grid at set rates.
Domestic content requirements, which would ensure at least 25 per cent of wind projects and 50 per cent of solar projects be produced in Ontario -- requirements for solar will increase by January 1, 2011 and wind will increase by January 1, 2012.
A streamlined approvals process and a service guarantee to bring developers greater certainty.
Regulations for setting wind turbines certain distances from houses, roadways and property lines.
A new Ontario Renewable Energy Facilitation Office -- a one-stop shop to help renewable energy projects get off the ground faster.
More than 50,000 direct and indirect jobs will be created under the Act. Investments in new renewable energy projects already in place or under construction in Ontario since 2003 exceed $4 billion.

QUICK FACTS

- Ontario is Canada's leading province in wind power, producing enough electricity to power more than 300,000 homes -- or a city the size of Markham.
- The Green Energy Act will aid Ontario's commitment to eliminate coal-fired power by 2014 -- the single largest climate change initiative in Canada.
- Ontario has gone from 10 turbines in 2003, to more than 670 spinning today and will have 975 by 2012.

LEARN MORE

- Read more about the major components of Ontario's Green Energy Act
- See Ontario's Ten Steps to Green Energy
- Find out how Ontario is helping Aboriginal communities get involved in green energy.
 

City of Sarnia/Lambton County, ON, CDA – A dramatic increase in building activities in the Ontario-Michigan border city of Sarnia from a year ago is an early sign of the community’s resilience in shaking off the restraints of the economic recession.

The value of new construction in the city for the month of August 2009 reached $14.2 million – a 125 percent improvement over the same period last year. The August 2008 comparison statistics preceded the initial downturn in the global economy during the last quarter of the year.

Monthly totals to-date point to a continuation of strong new construction starts in Sarnia through September 2009, as well.

“This is solid evidence that our community’s persistent refusal to be stalled in the economic doldrums is paying early dividends,” says Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley, board chair of the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership. “While we’re not completely free of the sluggish economy, these new construction numbers clearly demonstrate that we have set a strong pace towards an early recovery.”

At the current rate, new construction starts are likely to exceed the city’s monthly average for the past 10 years, notes Bradley.

The construction projects currently ongoing across the city reflect very positively on Sarnia’s future potential, since they encompass work of varying sizes and involve a diversity of proponents.

“The variety of construction projects currently ongoing is a good reflection of the growing strength and diversity of our local economy,” says George Mallay, the Economic Partnership’s general manager. “For example, they include a major green industry development, upgrades to a local refinery, small business expansions and the construction of a high-rise condominium tower.”

Sarnia-Lambton is growing a promising and sustainable, green future from its historic industrial roots and abundant natural features. Situated along the famous blue waters of Lake Huron and the St. Clair River, Sarnia-Lambton’s distinctive combination of modern city amenities, small town charm, quaint country corners, sandy beaches and recreational attractions are home to an increasing number of people and businesses. Visit www.sarnialambton.on.ca to see why the community is well positioned for “powering a sustainable world(TM).”

From www.chok.com   CHOK Radio

Jobs Added

The ribbon will be snipped today marking the official opening of a new 62 thousand square foot addition at the A.R.I. facility on Degurse Drive in Sarnia. American Railcar Industries now has the capability to repair or clean 105 freight cars, up from 65 when the plant first opened at the Chippewa Industrial Park in 1998. Back then, 7 people were on the payroll, but that's now grown to 26 according to Plant Manager Mike Williams. The cost of the expansion has not been released.

From www.chok.com   CHOK Radio

Large Investments Studied

Two multi-million dollar projects at the Sarnia Suncor site are still on the drawing board. They're under extra scrutiny following Suncor's recent merger with Petro Canada. Suncor spokesperson Shawn Davis says a multi-million dollar expansion to their world-scale ethanol plant in St Clair Township as well as a 100 million dollar bio-oil proposal are still being considered. Ms Davis says a number of factors will be considered, including timing, economic conditions and return on capital. It's hoped a final decision will be made in the first quarter of next year (2010).

From www.chok.com   CHOK Radio

Fair Share Promised

Sarnia-Lambton MP Pat Davidson is confident southwestern Ontario won't be ignored, even though a new Federal Economic Development Agency will be headquartered in Kitchener. Davidson says there are only four other development agencies in the country, so southern Ontario is lucky to have one all to itself. Despite being under the same umbrella as cities like Hamilton and Toronto, she says one billion dollars in stimulus funding will be dished out fairly. Davidson says she's trying to bring federal Minister of State Gary Goodyear to the area for meetings on how to best utilize the agency. The so-called Fed-Dev centre in Kitchener will help with restructuring, community and business development, and economic diversification.

Make It A Trio

From www.chok.com  CHOK Radio

Lambton County's top three most populace communities are showing building activity that can be considered holding its own so far this year. Permits worth over 40 million dollars have been issued in Sarnia to the end of July. In Lambton Shores, statistics are pointing the right way as well, all things considered. In the first half of the year, almost 100 permits were issued including twenty for new homes. That compares to 12 in the first six months of 2008.

There were also nine commercial construction permits and six agricultural projects. In St Clair Township, construction worth over 9.4 million dollars was recorded in the first half of the year. That's over one million dollars higher than the same time last year.

House construction made up the lion's share totalling just over 5.3 million, industrial permits are showing a healthy spike topping 2.2million dollars.
 

New government agency

Sarnia Observer www.theobserver.ca

Sarnia-Lambton MP Pat Davidson and the Conservative government launched the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario on Friday. The launch is the final step in the government’s Economic Action Plan, set out in the 2009 budget. FedDev will support restructuring, community and business development, and other measures to promote economic diversification.

Observer Article ID# 1702371

From www.chok.com CHOK Radio

Lambton College is looking for general contractors interested in building a Sustainable Smart Home on the London Road campus. Spokesperson Cindy Buchanan says they are inviting contractors to pre qualify. The 26 hundred square foot, modified one story single family home will be used to measure and study various sustainable and energy efficient building materials and systems. Bids are expected to be called this September and depending on funding, the project could get underway as early as this fall.

From www.chok.ca  CHOK Radio

BP Investment

Multi-million dollar upgrades are planned for a Chemical Valley processing plant. A Calgary based company has increased its stake in BP Canada's Sarnia facility. In a 14.8 million dollar deal. Provident Energy Trust has purchased an additional 6.15 percent of the plant, bringing it's total ownership of the gas fractionator to 16.5 percent. Company Spokesman Dallas McConnell says plans for the Michigan depropanizer plant have been deferred. McConnell says operations at Sarnia's BP site will continue as normal.. but the plant will receive about 4 million dollars in improvements next year to accommodate an additional 74 hundred barrels per day of propane capacity.

EnviroFresh taking the heat
Greenhouse complex will grow peppers using heat from Terra Industries

Posted By Heather Wright, www.todaysfarmer.ca    Today's Farmer

By December, peppers will be coming to a supermarket near you from a Lambton County greenhouse like no other.

EnviroFresh Farms is in the middle of construction of a massive complex south of Courtright that’s the first in Ontario to use waste energy from an existing industry to reduce production costs and help the environment.

The first of five phases of the 123-acre greenhouse is under construction, at a cost of $20 million.

A large part of the initial cost of the project is linking the greenhouse with Terra Industries. EnviroFresh will take carbon dioxide and excess heat that Terra would have otherwise simply emitted into the atmosphere to help run the complex.

Derek Schumann of EnviroFresh Farms says the link with private industry is a first in the province. It will cut the greenhouses’ operating costs by about 30 per cent and increase productivity by using the carbon dioxide that if released contributes to the production of acid rain.

“The plants really need CO2 to grow,” Schumann says. “If we don’t inject CO2 into the greenhouse, than in that atmosphere area it will actually be depleted and will hurt the plant. Supplying CO2 to the greenhouse will really increase our production by about 20 per cent.”

Greenhouses are big energy users. The buildings must be kept at a constant temperature of about 21 degrees Celsius.

“When it’s minus 25 outside, you really need a lot of heat,” Schumann said.

Instead of the traditional natural gas heating used in greenhouses, the company will use waste heat from Terra.

“At Terra it’s coming out as steam, but that steam will go through a heat exchanger and supply us with hot water,” he said. “The hot water will be stored in a five-million litre tank and then distributed in the greenhouse, so we can choose the temperatures we like in the greenhouse.”

The move will save the company about 30 per cent of its expense since heating costs are a major factor in the greenhouse business.

The EnviroFresh greenhouse complex would require the same amount of natural gas as 1,300 homes if it used the traditional heat source.

“That’s a lot of energy we’re not using and that local industry would be wasting into the atmosphere,” said Schumann.

Construction is well underway at the complex, with a sea of steel framing rising from the ground in front of Terra’s industrial complex.

Schumann expects the first 700,000 pepper plants will arrive on site to be planted in December. It will be February or March before the first yellow, red and orange peppers are shipped from the Courtright plant to stores in the U.S. and southern Ontario.

The company plans four more phases, each valued at $10 million, to complete the 123-acre complex. When fully operational, up to 300 people will work at EnviroFresh.

Today's Farmer Article ID# 1685109
 

Ministry of Research and Innovation
Ministère de la Recherche et de l’Innovation
 
McGuinty Government Launches Emerging Technologies Fund

Ontario’s Emerging Technologies Fund is open for business.

The $250-million fund will co-invest – along with qualified venture capital funds and other private investors – directly into companies in high-growth sectors that are aligned with Ontario’s Innovation Agenda:

Clean technology
Life sciences and advanced health technology
Digital media and information and communications technology.
The fund is designed to help innovative technology companies find the capital they need to grow in Ontario. It was announced by the province in March in response to the current economic conditions and the reduction in investment capital available to emerging and high-growth companies.

Guidelines for investment are now available online at: www.ontario.ca/ocgc.

QUOTES
“The Emerging Technologies Fund is one more step the McGuinty government is taking to help ensure that innovative people and companies have access to the capital they need to continue growing their business and creating jobs in Ontario.”
- Minister of Research and Innovation, John Milloy

QUICK FACTS
Ontario’s Emerging Technologies Fund will address a lack of venture capital activity by co-investing with qualified investors directly into high-growth technology companies.
Eligible companies must have a significant corporate footprint in Ontario.
This initiative complements the $205-million Ontario Venture Capital Fund, a partnership between Ontario and leading corporate and institutional investors that is investing in venture capital and growth equity funds that support innovative, high-growth companies.
LEARN MORE

The Ontario Emerging Technologies Fund

Ontario’s Innovation Agenda

Canada’s Venture Capital and Private Equity Association - first quarter venture capital results

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sandra Watts, Minister’s Office, 416-314-7067
Perry Blocher, MRI Communications Branch, 416-326-7717
ontario.ca/innovation-news
Disponible en français

By Shawn Jeffords, The Observer  www.theobserver.ca

A new wheel plant will rise from the ashes of UBE Automotive and it could mean employment for hundreds of people.

UBE officials confirmed Wednesday a deal has been reached to sell the troubled Sarnia wheel factory to a Canadian company.

The buyer, which has not yet been identified at its request, plans to continue making automotive wheels.

Japan-based UBE announced in January it would close the plant and lay off all its workers by the end of the year.

“It looked pretty grim for a while there,” said plant manager Rob McPherson. “But now there’s a future. We’re just going to have to give it some time to see what the company’s plans and objectives are.”

McPherson said the new owner is expected to reveal its intentions for the 350,000 square foot factory on Highway 402 soon. Layoffs will continue at the six-year-old facility until only a six-member management team remains in place to coordinate the transition.

McPherson said the workforce will be rebuilt slowly over a two-year period, with a round of hiring starting in the spring of 2010. Former UBE employees will be considered before other applicants, he said.

“It’s going to take from a year to three years to get the employment level back up to what it was at UBE’s peak,” he said.

At one point, the plant had 255 full-time staff and operated at 100 per cent capacity, seven days a week.

Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley said the news represents a remarkable turnaround for the plant. He lauded UBE for accepting an offer that might not have been the most lucrative one on the table, but which was best for Sarnia-Lambton.

“I can’t go into all the details but they were generous to the community in accepting this offer over some of the others,” said Bradley, noting the deal has been in the works for months.

UBE had considered demolishing the plant, which would have cost local government more than $400,000 a year in lost taxes.

The city has no financial interest in the sale but will assist the new owner, which plans to apply for green energy grants to retrofit the plant, he said.

UBE manufactured primarily aluminum wheels for upscale car models. The new owner is expected to diversify and use new technology to work with car companies that UBE didn’t, the mayor said.

“UBE and Honda have had disputes since the First World War so UBE could never get Honda business,” he said. “This new company has already made approaches.”

George Mallay, general manager of Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership, was upbeat.

“It’s a tough environment out there for business,” he said. “We’re optimistic about the future ... The company is very impressed with the quality of the workforce and management at the plant.”

In 2005, UBE made 1.4 million aluminum wheels for automakers using robotic equipment imported from Japan. That same year the company closed its Mason, Ohio plant, the only other UBE manufacturing site in North America.

Stiff competition in recent years from Chinese manufacturers had an impact, company representatives have said.

Observer Article ID# 1667755

From www.chok.com

UBE Buyer

Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley says the news couldn't be better. Blackburn Radio News has learned a Canadian owned company has purchased the 74 acre UBE Automotive site on highway 402. The sale includes the land, building and a majority of the wheel factory's assets. UBE Plant Manager Rob McPherson, while not divulging the buyer's name, says the new automotive-related business plans to start hiring in the first quarter of next year. It's hoped 300 people will be on the payroll in one to three years, matching UBE's peak employment levels.
 

From www.chok.com

Sarnia could soon be home to a full scale Pyrolysis plant. A small Pyrolysis unit will soon be operational at the U.W.O. Research Park in Sarnia. Research Park Managing Director Don Hewson says a small pyrolysis unit being built at UWO in London will soon be installed at their Bio-Industrial Innovation Centre. Pyrolysis, which uses its own by-products to power the unit, gasifies agricultural waste, wood and even garbage into coke, gas and oils.

Local movie gets wide release
By Paul Morden, The Observer
 

A movie shot in Sarnia- Lambton is about to show up on video store shelves.

Mark McNabb, of Petrolia's Skylight Films, said he has learned the Blockbuster chain will stock his film, "The Mystical Adventures of Billy Owens," following its official DVD release on July 21.

"It's an exciting time," McNabb said.

Starring wrestler-actor Roddy Piper and a cast of young actors from around the region, the film had its television debut on the Super Channel in Canada last fall.

"We made the film almost three years ago, so it took a long time," McNabb said.

It's the second locally produced film by Skylight to get a North American DVD distribution deal, McNabb said.

The first was "BLINDEYE," an action film also starring Piper.

"It went out on DVD last year and actually did quite well," McNabb said.

The Billy Owens film is a family fantasy-adventure with Piper playing a "wise, wizardly" role in a story about a boy who finds a magical wand.

"It's a really family-driven sweet film," McNabb said.

Piper returned for the sequel, "Billy Owens and the Secret of the Runes," which premiered locally last fall.

McNabb said the sequel is also scheduled to be released on DVD.

"We're just really enjoying the fact that they're getting out there."

McNabb said the timing of the release of the Billy Owens films has matched up nicely with the release of the latest Harry Potter installment.

"It's not a Harry Potter movie," he said about his Billy Owens film, "but it's kids, it's magic, it's a wand."

Along with magic, there are themes of friendship and courage running through the Billy Owens films, he added.

Copies of the new DVD arrived from the distributor recently at the Skylight offices in Petrolia. McNabb said it was exciting to see that it includes a trailer promoting the upcoming release of the sequel.

Skylight also has two new family films shot recently and set to be released in the fall.

McNabb said one is a children's western and the other is "Ghost Trap," which he said is "kind of our own little junior 'Ghostbusters.'"

After about 15 years of working in a wide range of styles, McNabb said he's enjoying making family movies and working with young actors.

"They bring a lot of enthusiasm," he said. "It's never a bad day."

Observer Article ID# 1660763

From CHOK Radio www.chok.com

Contractor named - Work will begin in just a few weeks on the westbound Highway 402 widening project in Sarnia. The company to do the job has been selected. The Transportation Ministry has conditionally awarded the contract to Bot Construction for 59.4 million dollars. Spokesperson Tanya Cross says that figure was based on the allowance of night-time construction, which was turned down by Sarnia City Council by rejecting a noise bylaw exemption at the end of June. A three year time frame was originally allotted for the project. That too could grow without the ability to conduct night time work.

Construction worth over 11 million dollars in total was recorded in Sarnia, last month. The largest permits included 3 million dollars for a "pilot plant research facility" at the UWO bio industrial park on Modeland Road, 1.2 million for another Shoppers Drug Mart on Michigan Avenue, and 1.1 million dollars for an addition and renovations to Bethel Pentecostal Church. Work on single family houses broke out of the doldums in June with 18 starts, bringing the year to date total to 51. That, however is still well behind the first half of 2008, when work had started on 123 new houses.

BIG BOX STORES
By Shawn Jeffords, The Observer 
 

A major developer is once again looking at bringing two more big-box retailers to Sarnia.

Representatives from North American Development Corporation were scheduled to meet today with Mayor Mike Bradley to discuss a potential plaza north of Highway 402 and east of Modeland Road.

The 54-acre plot of land could eventually host a shopping complex as large as Lambton Mall with 3,000 parking spots, the mayor said.

"There are a multitude of issues here and my understanding is that they're coming back with a plan," he said.

The developers did some planning last year but progress slowed when the economy weakened. At the time, the plaza was believed to have include a pair of big-box stores, which could be Costco and Lowes.

Now that things appear to be turning around their interest is picking up, Bradley said.

The land, currently designated for agriculture, would have to be rezoned for commercial use.

"It sounds like they want to move forward," Bradley said. "I'll have to put it back to staff because we have to go through this official plan process. We can't circumvent that, nor should we."

Sarnia will need additional commercial lands in the next 20 years, and a consultant is expected to deliver a report this fall regarding the direction of future growth.

The proposed development will need to match the consultant's recommendations, Bradley said.

"They may want a sense of how well the community is doing economically. Because it does involve city and county planning there are a multitude of issues."

The city had previously optioned the land for a second business park but in the end decided not to close the deal.

Meanwhile, city planning department statistics show the number of building permits are up slightly over this time last year. In June of 2008, 65 permits were issued. This year 71 permits were issued. Some of the major projects include a $1.1 million permit for additions and renovations to Bethel Pentecostal Church, and a $1.2 million permit to build a new Shoppers Drug Mart on Michigan Avenue.

Observer Article ID# 1646421
 

By Tyler Kula, The Observer

A veritable who’s who of industry and technology heavyweights have been chosen to head the inaugural board of the Sarnia-based Sustainable Chemistry Alliance.

Headquartered at the University of Western Ontario Research Park, the Alliance was created to help emerging companies commercialize new and sustainable technologies.

With an injection of senior government funding, it has rapidly grown from a volunteer-based group to a national organization with $5 million to invest in emerging innovations and breakthroughs.

“You’re not going to convert to a bio-based society today or tomorrow,” cautioned co-chairperson Steve Bolt, a retired Eastern Canada operations director at Dow Chemical Canada.

“It’s going to take time.”

The Alliance will be headed by President and CEO Murray McLaughlin and co-chaired by Bolt and Bernard West, former CEO of Cansolv Technologies of Montreal.

Also named to the board are Joel Adams, UWO Research Park director; Paul Clark, former research and technology VP at NOVA Chemicals; Jean Hamel, GM and director of research at FPInnovations; Cam Harris, a VP in process and technology at WorleyParsons; George Mallay, general manager of the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership; A.J. (Sandy) Marshall, president and managing director of Lanxess; Richard Paton, president and CEO of the Canadian Chemical Producers’ Association; Gord Surgeoner, president of Ontario Agri-Food Technologies; and William White, retired president of DuPont Canada.

The bulk of the Alliance’s funding came from a $7.5 million federal grant.

“We have the ability (in Canada) to attract and integrate new bio-based technologies with our existing very strong infrastructure,” Bolt said. That infrastructure includes industries as well as power distribution systems and other utility distribution centres, he said.

The Alliance works with private firms, government academic institutions, research institutes, non-government organizations, communities and farmers.

“It’s all the local industry working together with the community to produce a sustainable result on the environmental, social and economic fronts,” Bolt said.

Observer Article ID# 1645502

SARNIA, ON – The Sustainable Chemistry Alliance, which will help an emerging new industry across Canada to commercialize sustainable technologies and processes, has announced its inaugural Board of Directors.

Co-Chair Steve Bolt says the board draws on a broad range of expertise across the value chain. “We have pulled together various groups into a single alliance focused on implementing a sustainable hybrid chemical industry that integrates bio and traditional industries. Along with a 50% reduction in emissions over the next 10 years across the sector, we are targeting significant new investments in both fossil and bio-based operations at a rate of one every two years.  The aim is to boost sector employment by 10,000 within 10 years.”

Dr. Murray McLaughlin, founding president and CEO of the SCA, says projects currently under consideration for funding support from the alliance include biofuels facilities, waste recycling, value added processes, new technologies and biomass production. “There is a huge opportunity for the Southwestern Ontario region and Canada to become world leaders in the development and commercialization of sustainable technologies and processes.”

With initial funding from the Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research, and from private sources, the alliance will provide more than $5 million in funding over the next five years. Funding will be targeted to the highest potential emerging innovations and breakthroughs. A key SCA goal to support the commercialization process is to leverage up to an additional $15 million in funding capability in its first year of operation.

The alliance identifies areas where innovation in science and engineering can bring about major advances in sustainability. Sustainable chemistry is playing an important role in the development of solutions to the impacts of climate change, peak oil, energy security, the need for safe water, and the use of scarce natural resources. The increasing global demand for green and safer products offers the opportunity to create thousands of new jobs for Canadians.

Members of the inaugural board of directors for the Sustainability Chemistry Alliance are:

Dr. Murray McLaughlin, President and CEO of the SCA;

Steve Bolt, Co-Chair of the SCA and retired Eastern Canada Operations Director for Dow Chemical Canada Inc.;

Dr. Bernard West, Co-Chair of the SCA and former President & CEO of CANSOLV Technologies of Montreal;

Joel Adams, Director of The University of Western Ontario Research & Development Park;

Paul Clark, President, VisionGain Consulting Inc. and former VP Research & Technology for NOVA Chemicals Corp.;

Jean Hamel, GM and Director of Research at FPInnovations;

Cam Harris, VP Process and Technology Global West in the Mining and Minerals division of WorleyParsons;

George Mallay, General Manager of the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership;

A.J. (Sandy) Marshall, President and Managing Director of  LANXESS Inc. and Head, Technical Services North America;

Richard Paton, President & CEO of the Canadian Chemical Producers’ Association (CCPA);

Dr. Gord Surgeoner, President of Ontario Agri-Food Technologies;

William White, retired President of DuPont Canada.

About the Sustainable Chemistry Alliance:

The SCA serves the emerging new industry in Canada. The alliance evolved from the former Ontario Chemistry Value Chain Initiative, which had been implementing a strategy designed to bridge the gap between biochemistry and synthetic chemistry. The SCA is now working with private firms, government academic institutions, research institutes, non-government organizations, communities and farmers. It is active in sectors that include petrochemical and refining, automotive, forestry, plastics and packaging.

SCA headquarters are located at the new Bioindustrial Innovation Centre at the Sarnia-Lambton Campus of the University of Western Ontario Research Park.

For more information contact:

Dr. Murray McLaughlin
President & CEO
1086 Modeland Rd., Sarnia, ON N7S 6L2
Tel: (519) 383-8303 ext, 237 Cell: (519) 550-5525
Email: murraym@suschemalliance.ca
Website: www.suschemalliance.ca

By Paul Morden, The Observer
 

A group has applied for zoning approval to build a five-turbine wind farm near Forest.

The 10-megawatt Eirin Wind Farm would be owned by several landowners in the area.

A 60-metre meteorological tower was erected in 2006 to collect wind data for the project.

"They're at the stage now where they need to get zoning amendments," said Adam Wills, planning co-ordinator for Plympton-Wyoming.

Town council has forwarded the re-zoning application to Lambton County's planning department.

It's expected a public meeting into the re-zoning applications will be scheduled in the near future, Wills said.

The site for the proposed wind farm is southwest of Forest in the area of Douglas Line and Uttoxeter Road.

Engineering and environmental consulting for the proposal is being handled by Dundas, Ont.- based M. K. Ince and Associates Ltd.

According to the firm's website the Eirin Wind Farm is scheduled to be commissioned in late 2010.

The five two-megawatt turbines would be 98 metres high and have blades that are 41 metres long.

Forest is also the sight of a proposed five-turbine project being spearheaded by Forest Wind Power Inc.

That 10-megawatt project is proposed for land between Cedar Point Line and Hickory Creek Line in Lambton Shores.

Lambton Shores is home to Lambton County's only operating wind farm -- six turbines built last year near Kettle Point.

Observer Article ID# 1634077
 

From CHOK Radio www.chok.com
June 15, 2009

Solar Construction - Construction of Canada's largest solar farm will resume next month. Spokesperson Peter Carrie says First Solar, which purchased former developer Opti-Solar earlier this year, has tweaked some of the engineering aspects of the 80 megawatt project. Between 2 and 3 hundred construction workers will be on site at Churchill Line and Highway 40 at peak times. One noticeable change will see the solar panels mounted on steel posts rather than cement bases.

Two local marinas and a beach earn international honours 

Lynda Hillman-Rapley, The Observer 

Two Lambton County marina will be among the first in North America to fly a coveted Blue Flag this summer after meeting strict international standards for environmental protection.

Grand Bend Marina and Port Franks Marina in Lambton Shores earned the designation for their water quality, environmental education, environmental management and safety.

As well, Grand Bend Beach became the first of Lambton County’s famed beaches to earn Blue Flag status.

"We are thrilled with the announcement. The Grand Bend Beach has really been a community effort,” said Lambton Shores mayor Gord Minielly.

In total, Blue Flags were awarded to three marinas and 11 North American beaches.

Canatara Park Beach earned candidate status, meaning it could receive full certification in the future.

The program, which began in Europe in 1987, is designed to increase good environmental practices among tourists, local populations and property managers.

There are currently 2,600 Blue Flag beaches in 36 countries.

Lambton Shores became the first municipality on the continent to have both of its harbours designated.

"These ... marinas have worked really hard to meet the international standards and we're proud that Canada has the first Blue Flag marinas in North America," said Sarah Winterton, education and outreach director with Environmental Defence, which oversees the program in Canada.

"Beaches and marinas are really embracing the Blue Flag program because it shows they are leaders."

Two years ago Lambton Shores developed an award-winning system that allows staff to monitor beach water conditions. The monitor is anchored offshore, and with the use of computer and solar-powered technology collects data on wave heights, temperature, turbidity and sunlight intensity.

The data collected is being used to create a model of water conditions at Grand Bend Beach to alert swimmers of negative conditions.

Observer Article ID# 1600590

From Bioenergy Canada, April 2009 issue

By Online Reporter
Web exclusive posted April 23, 2009 at 8:50 a.m. EST

Last week proved a significant week for ethanol producer, GreenField Ethanol Inc. when two investments of up to $86.8 million in funding were announced for the company under the Government of Canada’s ecoENERGY for Biofuels program. The funding will be invested in maintaining the operations of its Chatham and Tiverton, Ontario, plants in order to continue to develop and produce grain-based ethanol.

GreenField’s Chatham facility will receive up to $72.8 million, which will be awarded over the course of seven years. The Chatham facility produces 100 MMly to 130 MMly of ethanol from 19 million bushels of corn, 150,000 tonnes of distillers grains, and is home to the company’s biochemical process technology research facility where it is developing cellulosic ethanol technology.

A previous $14 million was also announced for the company’s 3.5 MMly ethanol facility in Tiverton. Additional funding announcements are also expected to be made regarding the company’s two other plants in Johnstown, Ontario, and Varennes, Quebec, later this year.

"These funds will help GreenField Ethanol in our mission to utilize innovative technologies to help broaden Canadians' fuel choices," said Robert Gallant, president and CEO of GreenField. "This investment will also result in greater workplace opportunities for the Chatham [and Tiverton] communit[ies]."

The ecoENERGY for Biofuels program will invest a total of $1.5 billion over nine years to support the production of renewable fuels and encourage the development of a competitive renewable fuels industry in Canada. The program, which was launched in April 2008, also aims at creating jobs and increasing economic opportunities for local businesses. To date, the ecoENERGY for Biofuels program has received 46 applications, 24 of which are currently eligible for funding.

Source - Bioenergy Canada, April 2009 issue
http://bioenergymagazine.ca/article.jsp?article_id=374

Sarnia has once again been recognized by fDi Magazine. The magazine’s North American Cities of the Future 2009 / 2010 rankings award the City of Sarnia a berth in the “Micro cities - top five best FDI (foreign direct investment) strategy category.

The category examines the resources and key initiatives being implemented by the community to attract more investment; information provided by the community on high-growth sectors and sub-sectors that offer excellent potential for inward investment; incentives; and world-class sites suitable for investors to move into.

“Sarnia-Lambton’s reputation as a forward-thinking community is continually growing,” commented Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley.� “We are increasingly being recognized globally as a major centre for sustainable energy and bio industries.”

“This most recent honour is one more international recognition of the new Sarnia-Lambton and the community-based efforts to diversify and build a new economy for the future,” said Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership General Manager George Mallay.

The micro cities (populations under 100,000) landing the top five spots in the FDI strategy category were:� Surprise Arizona, Victoria British Columbia, Clovis California, Sarnia Ontario, and Kamloops British Columbia.

In 2007 Sarnia was recognized by fDI magazine as a top five “Micro-City of the Future”.

fDi Magazine is a world-class publication geared to global business. It is owned by the Financial Times (FT) Group.

- 30 -

For further information contact

George Mallay
General Manager
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
519.332.1820

Mike Bradley
Mayor
City of Sarnia
519.332.0330

By Heather Wright, Sarnia This Week

Work on North America's largest solar farm is on hold for now. But officials say the Sarnia site will be bustling with activity come summer.

Optisolar Canada, the company building a 60 megawatt project in Sarnia, was sold to First Solar. The deal closed April 10. Thirty people working on the site on Churchill Line in the city were laid off at the time.

But project manager Peter Carrie says it’s only temporary. Carrie says time is needed for some engineering work so different solar panels can be used on the project. By mid-May, construction will continue using the solar panels which First Solar manufactures.

"From a distance, it's going to look very, very similar — practically speaking — identical to what the original project would have looked like but of course the solar panels that we are dealing with will have First Solar on the back, rather than OptiSolar," says Carrie.

Carrie says the pace of construction will actually increase this summer since solar panels will now be more readily available. "We'll be ramping up over the summertime to probably our level of effort, where we could have up to a couple hundred people working on the project."

When the project is complete, it will generate enough power for one-third of the city's homes. The project, which is the largest in North America, will cover over 1,000 acres of farmland in the city.

Sarnia This Week Article ID# 1533070

CHOK Radio www.chok.com

It was a festive atmosphere at Lambton Mall complete with fireworks last evening as local dignataries celebrated the relocation of retailer, Canadian Tire. Located at the former Wal-Mart, the new Canadian Tire now has 83-thousand square feet of retail space --- 60 per cent more space than at its old site.... 40 more staff have been hired on, including five managers, bringing the staffing compliment to about 200.

About First Solar

First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) manufactures solar modules with an advanced semiconductor technology and provides comprehensive photovoltaic (PV) solutions that significantly reduce solar electricity costs. By enabling clean, renewable electricity at competitive prices, First Solar provides an economic and environmentally responsible alternative to existing peaking fossil-fuel electric generation. First Solar PV power plants operate with no water or air emissions, and no waste stream. First Solar set the benchmark for environmentally responsible product life cycle management by introducing the industry's first comprehensive collection and recycling program for solar modules. From raw material sourcing through end-of-life collection and recycling, First Solar is focused on creating cost-effective renewable energy solutions that protect and enhance the environment. For more information about First Solar, please visit www.firstsolar.com, or www.firstsolar.com/media to download photos.

For First Solar Investors

This release contains forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The forward-looking statements in this release do not constitute guarantees of future performance. Those statements involve a number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, including risks associated with the company's business involving the company's products, their development and distribution, economic and competitive factors and the company's key strategic relationships and other risks detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Some important risks specific to the acquisition include the satisfaction of closing conditions for the acquisition and the possibility that the transaction may not be completed, and potential difficulties associated with integrating the acquired project businesses into First Solar's existing operations. First Solar assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information contained in this press release or with respect to the announcements described herein.

Source: First Solar, Inc.

First Solar, Inc. Lisa Morse602-414-9361media@firstsolar.com

By Cathy Dobson, The Observer

Carving up the pie

The federal government is making $1 billion available for economic development in southern Ontario and Sarnia and its neighbours must work together to spend it properly.

So says Stratford Mayor Dan Mathieson, who spoke to about 70 community leaders here Tuesday about the region's future. Sarnia-Lambton has diversified enough to weather the recession better than many communities in southwestern Ontario, Mathieson said. "Across the region, we have bright spots and you are one of them. London is withstanding the economic downturn too, but other areas are suffering greatly."

He declined to pinpoint the most troubled centres but said each assembly job represents another seven pre-assembly jobs. Communities that rely heavily on manufacturing face the biggest challenges, said Mathieson, who chairs the Southwest Economic Alliance. SWEA is a relatively new group of municipalities, businesses, industries, colleges and universities that formed to develop the regional economy as a united front. Southwest Ontario communities worked unilaterally for too long to attract investment, but now there's a new way of thinking, Mathieson said. In the past, individual communities celebrated their own successes, bragged about them and kept helpful information secretive, he said. "We can't continue to do what we've always done."

Sarnia and Lambton County belong to SWEA along with 10 other municipalities and counties in the triangle bounded by Grey County to the north, Haldimand in the south and Lambton to the west.

SWEA hopes to be at the table when Ottawa doles out $200 million annually for five years through the SODA (Southern Ontario Development Agency), created to distribute the $1 billion. Mathieson said SWEA believes the money is best invested in big projects like bridge improvements or new and emerging economies like solar development and biofuel research. "Infrastructure spending on communities, like the Canada Build fund, is great, but fixing washrooms and putting new sewers in the ground doesn't change the economy," he said. "It just means you have a nicer place to live when you are unemployed."

Mayor Mike Bradley agreed, saying he'd like the SODA money spent on "the big picture," like upgrading the hydro corridor to structurally build up the region.

Provincial and federal bureaucrats meet this week with SODA to discuss how the money should best be used and Mathieson expects more information within 30 to 60 days. Mathieson was speaking at the annual general meeting of the Sarnia- Lambton Economic Partnership, held at the Holiday Inn.

Observer Article ID# 1504889�

The move is a response to the challenges emerging technology companies are experiencing in raising venture capital due to tightening credit markets. The long-term goal of the fund is to create a dynamic, vibrant venture capital community that will help Ontario companies grow and compete globally.

Starting in July, the Emerging Technologies Fund would invest $250 million dollars over five years together with qualified venture capital funds and private sector investors.

The fund would match small to medium private sector investments and receive an interest in companies it supports.

QUOTES
“The Emerging Technologies Fund supports the kind of investment that drives innovation, secures jobs today, and creates jobs tomorrow. We’re committed to supporting clean tech and other emerging technology companies in Ontario. Ontarians are looking to us to support investment in new technology, especially in this challenging global credit environment.”– Minister of Research and Innovation John Wilkinson.

QUICK FACTS

• The fund is targeted at companies working in clean technology, life sciences, digital media and information communication technology.
• Eligible companies must have a significant corporate footprint in Ontario.
• The goal is for the fund to be self-sustaining through return on investment.

LEARN MORE
Find out more about Ontario’s Innovation Agenda.

www.mri.gov.on.ca

Dow Chemical Canada has successfully concluded the sale of its main Sarnia site to the property's neighbour, TransAlta.

TransAlta takes immediate ownership of the 105-hectare (260-acre) Vidal Street property, including some services and utilities, as well as several structures. As outlined in the June 2008 memorandum of understanding between the two parties, the sale does not change existing plans for Dow Sarnia employees. Also as previously announced, the final agreement includes tenancy provisions that will enable Dow to safely complete its operations closure and meet all of its environmental obligations, as planned. “We are pleased to have TransAlta’s full support to continue operating our remaining manufacturing plant on site until April, as scheduled, and then proceed with its orderly closure and demolition,” said Don Fysh, site operations director. “The agreement discussions have confirmed for us that TransAlta is a most appropriate buyer, whoses philosophies and practices are consistent with Dow’s core values of economic, environmental and social responsibility.” Dow will also complete its ongoing environmental assessment of the property and conduct appropriate remediation works, as needed. “We will be working in close consultation with TransAlta, as we continue to implement our site restoration plan to its completion in 2011,” said Catherine Creber, Dow’s closure leader for the Sarnia site.��

About Dow Dow Chemical Canada ULC, a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, employs approximately 1,200 people in Canada. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Dow Canada and its affiliates have manufacturing locations in: Sarnia and Toronto, Ontario; Fort Saskatchewan and Prentiss, Alberta; and Varennes, Quebec. Dow Canada is proud to join the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) as the official supplier of Insulation Materials and Heat Transfer Fluids. In addition, Dow Canada and VANOC, being mutually committed to the principles of sustainability, will work together on litter and end-of-life waste management programs to ensure the success of VANOC's 'Zero Waste' initiative. For more information about Dow Canada, please visit our website at www.dowcanada.com.

�For editorial information:

Don Fysh Dow Sarnia Director of Operations
(519) 339-4359
E-Mail: fyshdh@dow.com��������

Catherine Creber
Dow Sarnia Site Closure Leader
(519) 339-5004
E-Mail: ccreber@dow.com

Thursday – February 19, 2009

In summer last year, H.C. Starck Canada commenced an investment project totaling several million dollars in order to expand capacity of the production plants in Canada.

On account of the cooling off currently being experienced by the economic climate and the resulting decline in demand – also on the North American tungsten powder market – the investment program has now been suspended. “We can cover current requirements from our existing plants in Canada and in Europe,“ said Dr. Thomas Eizenh�fer, head of HMC Business Unit, to the press. “As soon as demand picks up again, we will restart the investment activities in good time."

Established in 1996, H.C. Starck Canada currently produces fine grade tungsten and tungsten carbide powders, and employs more than 30 people.

H.C. Starck is an international group of companies with more than 3,200 employees at 13 production sites in Europe, North America and the Far East. It generated sales of 905 million euros in 2007. The Group produces an assortment of refractory metal powders that is unique the world over, including tungsten, molybdenum, tantalum, niobium, rhenium as well as their compounds (borides, carbides, nitrides, oxides, silicides, sulfides). Further production capacities focus on thermal spray and advanced ceramic powders, nonferrous metals, such as nickel and cobalt and their salts, as well as boron and boron compounds. In addition to metal and advanced ceramic powders, semi-finished and finished products are also manufactured. H.C. Starck is also a leading supplier of specialty chemicals and products formulated for the electronics industry.

Contact: Carol Gilmurray
H.C. Starck Canada Inc.
Sarnia/Ontario
Phone 519 346-4358

By Cathy Dobson, The Observer

A major layoff announced Friday by parent company OptiSolar Inc. does not impact the Sarnia workforce, says Peter Carrie, vice-president of the company constructing a solar energy farm in Sarnia.

Eighteen people employed locally by OptiSolar Farms Canada Inc. are not affected by the U. S. parent company's decision to laying off half its staff, he said.

However, the construction schedule for the farm has slowed considerably. The 10-megawatt first phase was expected to be connected to the grid by the end of 2008. So far panel generating less than 1.5 megawatts have been connected and are delivering electricity via Bluewater Power to the grid on a trial basis, Carrie said. He blamed the slowdown in production on poor weather conditions, saying the delays have nothing to do with the economy.

The rest of the first phase is expected to be connected over the next few months. Carrie said an official announcement of completion will likely be issued in February or March.

Last fall, Carrie said he anticipated work on the second phase of the Sarnia farm would be underway by now, but a statement from OptiSolar Inc. spokesman Alan Bernheimer on Friday suggested only the first 10 megawatt phase of the 60-megawatt farm will be complete by the end of 2009.

"Obviously, the recession and disruption of the capital market affects our main plant in Sacramento, and unfortunately we've had to lay people off there," Carrie said.

The layoff of 300 people in the U. S. includes 105 staff at OptiSolar's photovoltaic panel assembly plant and the rest at its other California operations.

"It's the awful economy and the fact we're unable to access investment funding to support our growth," said Bernheimer.

OptiSolar is building North America's largest solar farm on 445 hectares in the city's southeast end, bordered by Churchill Line, Highway 40, Confederation Street and Blackwell Sideroad.

The company has also said it wants to build a 10-megawatt farm near Petrolia.

That project is still being pursued, Carrie said. "We expect to go for municipal and county approval soon."