August 2, 2016 – Applications are currently being accepted for the $1 million Biomass Energy Support Program, ran by the Manitoba and federal governments, and which includes $500,000 in grants to help coal users transition to renewable biomass fuel. Another $500,000 is available for applied research projects in Manitoba that support the growth of the biomass industry.

(See more news from us on the project HERE.)

Eligible biomass fuels include:

• Agricultural residue such as wheat and flax straw, sunflower hulls or compacted biomass-like wheat and oat pellets;
• Forestry residues such as wood chips or salvaged timber; and
• Biomass crops such as switchgrass, willow and poplar.

Current biomass manufacturers can also apply to expand their operations. The maximum grant available is $50,000.

Projects with short turnaround times that support Manitoba’s coal reduction goal are given priority in the funding approval process, the government stated.

The deadline to apply is September 30, 2016.Click HERE to apply and for more information.

Last year, 21 projects received money from this program, which is funded under Growing Forward 2, a five-year, federal-provincial-territorial policy framework to advance the agriculture industry.