Canada's Tories' Kyoto "Alternative" - 5% Ethanol Gasoline Mandate

[hatrack]

Ottawa — The Conservatives will move today to blunt criticism that they have forsaken the Kyoto accord by asking provinces to help develop a plan to boost ethanol production as part of a made-in-Canada plan to reduce greenhouse gas.

Federal cabinet ministers will meet with provincial counterparts in Regina to kick-start an initiative to keep a Tory pledge that would raise to 5 per cent the amount of ethanol used in gasoline. Experts say ethanol fuel, most of which is derived from corn and agricultural crops, would contribute to efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The meeting comes as the Conservative government continued to come under fire from international environmental groups yesterday and the European Community urged Canada to respect goals the Liberals previously agreed to under the Kyoto accord.

Canada's commitment to Kyoto is wavering as a leaked internal report says Conservatives do not support deeper emission-reduction targets for the agreement in the future. The government eventually hopes to develop an incentive program to increase production of ethanol, but first needs to test support across the country. Provincial programs vary widely, with some jurisdictions well ahead of others in efforts and targets to produce ethanol.

The federal government would like to harmonize the provincial regimes as much as possible before moving ahead with its program.

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http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060523.wxrenewable23/BNStory/National/home

"Harmonize"? Why not just "study" it for a few more yearw?