Suncor Energy Celebrates Opening of Canada's Largest Ethanol Plant

<p>Suncor Energy Products Inc.'s investment in a clean energy future took another step forward today with the grand opening of Canada's largest ethanol-production plant. </p><p>Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and Patricia Davidson, Member of Parliament for Sarnia-Lambton joined Suncor Energy's Executive Vice President, Tom Ryley, and other guests to celebrate the official opening of the plant located in St. Clair Township, near Sarnia. </p> <p>&quot;Today marks a milestone for our business and for renewable fuels in Ontario,&quot; said Ryley. &quot; We've been blending up to 10 per cent ethanol in all our Sunoco retail gasolines since 1996, and we are now proud to take an even larger role in ethanol production and in renewable fuels.&quot; </p> <p>The $120 million facility is expected to annually produce 200 million litres of ethanol. Feedstock for the ethanol will come from 20 million bushels of corn per year, sourced primarily from Ontario farmers. The facility generated employment for 38 people. </p> <p>The plant was partially funded with $22 million from the Government of Canada's Ethanol Expansion Program and was also supported through an Ethanol Manufacturers' Agreement with the Province of Ontario. </p> <p>&quot;The Government of Canada has set a goal of an average of five per cent renewable-fuel content in vehicle fuels by 2010. We are working with provinces, territories and other stakeholders to achieve this realistic, concrete objective,&quot; said Ms. Davidson, on behalf of Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources Canada. &quot;We congratulate Suncor on opening this impressive facility, and I'm confident we can look to them to make key contributions to reaching our goal.&quot; </p> <p>As a clean burning, renewable resource, ethanol blended into gasoline helps reduce emissions that contribute to smog and global warming. A study by the Pembina Institute estimated that carbon dioxide would be reduced by 300,000 tons per year by using ethanol from the Sarnia plant compared to conventional gasoline. </p> <p>In recognition of the community's support for the new facility, the Suncor Energy Foundation presented $50,000 to St. Clair Township Mayor Steve Arnold to expand a multipurpose recreational trail along the St. Clair River. </p> <p>&quot;We would like to thank both the provincial and federal government for their partnership in this initiative, and we look forward to continued collaboration as we explore opportunities for renewable energy,&quot; says Ryley. &quot;Suncor's renewable energy projects, including our new ethanol production facility, are prime examples of Suncor's commitment to renewable energy and are part of our sustainable energy strategy.&quot;</p> <p>From 2005 to 2007, Suncor expects to invest more than $1.4 billion in Ontario, demonstrating its commitment to developing economic growth and environmental benefits in the province. This investment includes spending to improve the environmental performance of the company's Sarnia refinery, construct and commission the ethanol facility, and build a proposed 76 megawatt wind power project near Ripley, Ontario. </p> <p>Suncor Energy Products Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Suncor Energy Inc., an integrated energy company. In addition to a refinery in Sarnia, Suncor Energy Products has a network of 281 Sunoco-branded retail and Fleet Fuel cardlock sites and has a 50 per cent joint venture interest in over 200 Pioneer and UPI retail sites. Suncor Energy Products Inc. manufactures, distributes and markets transportation fuels, heating oils and petrochemicals primarily in Ontario. For more information, visit www.sunoco.ca or www.suncor.com. </p> <p>This news release contains a forward-looking statements identified by words such as &quot;expected&quot; and &quot;proposed,&quot; which is based on Suncor's current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions made in light of its experiences and the risks, uncertainties and other factors related to its business. Actual events could differ materially as a result of changes to Suncor's plans and the impact of events, risks and uncertainties discussed in Suncor's current annual information form, annual and quarterly reports to shareholders and other documents filed with regulatory authorities. </p> <p>- 30 – </p> <p>For more information, please contact: </p> <p>Jason Vaillant <br> Manager, Communications and Stakeholder Relations <br> Suncor Energy Products Inc. <br> 519-383-3691 </p>

Posted in: SLEP News