April 21, 2006
STC To Run 12-Month Test of Bio-Diesel Fuel
The Saskatchewan Transportation Company (STC) will be using a two per cent bio-diesel
fuel mixture in more than half its coaches in the upcoming year to test the viability
of using the more environmentally-friendly fuel in all its coaches.
"We already know that bio-diesel fuel burns cleaner than regular fuel, and is therefore
better for the environment," Minister responsible for STC Eldon Lautermilch said.
"The company wants to give the fuel an extensive testing to gauge potential savings
in terms of mileage and motor life.
"This has the potential to be a win-win-win situation. The use of bio-diesel would
be good for the environment, it has potential to be good for STC's bottom-line,
and it will assist the development of a value-added industry within our agricultural
sector."
STC plans to blend the fuel in its storage tanks in Saskatoon and use the mixture
in all buses which fuel at that facility, approximately 54 per cent of its fleet.
A shorter trial using one bus, on the Saskatoon to Swift Current run, was conducted
in 2005. However, that test did not give sufficient information to make a judgement
on the economic impact of the fuel additive.
STC will be using bio-diesel supplied by Milligan Bio-tech, an innovative and rural-based
company established at Foam Lake, to produce bio-diesel and other value-added co-products.
In the course of a year, STC would use one million litres of diesel fuel from its
Saskatoon facility.
"Mass transit, such as that provided by STC, is already the solution to many of
our environmental concerns," Environment Minister John Nilson said. "By adopting
the use of a more environmentally-friendly fuel, the company is just strengthening
its position as a 'green' operation. This is just one more step to building a green
and prosperous economy in Saskatchewan."
"Today's announcement represents one of many important steps toward developing a
sustainable bio-diesel industry in Saskatchewan. Achieving that end will require
commitment from producers, government and industry to develop a market for bio-diesel
and demonstrate its economic and environmental benefits," Saskatchewan Bio-diesel
Development Task Force Co-chair Judie Dyck said. "STC's commitment to this project
takes us a little further down that road."
For more information, contact:
Todd MacKay
Acting Director
Strategic Planning & Communications
Saskatchewan Transportation Company
Phone: (306) 787-6807
Email: Contact Us