Suncor Energy Inc. announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Conestoga-Rovers and Associates of Waterloo, Ontario to pursue opportunities to produce alternative and renewable energy from Canadian municipal landfills.
Conestoga-Rovers and Associates (CRA) is an international engineering and environmental services firm and an industry leader in the recovery and control of landfill gas. Under the five-year agreement, Suncor and CRA plan to identify, design, develop and operate landfill gas projects in Canada. These projects are expected to involve the use of landfill gas collection and control systems that have been successfully used in North America and Europe.
Landfill gas is produced by the natural decay of organic wastes, such as kitchen scraps and lawn cuttings, in municipal landfills. The recovery of this gas could provide a reliable source of methane fuel for heating or generating electricity, as well as the potential for providing carbon dioxide for commercial use. Landfill gas recovery could also provide important environmental benefits by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and local landfill odors.
The plan to pursue landfill gas recovery is a part of Suncor’s commitment to invest $100 million in alternative and renewable energy projects over the next five years. This initiative is a first step towards building a business in alternative and renewable energy that creates economic value for shareholders while also creating environmental and social benefits.
“Landfill gas recovery projects offer an immediate and viable alternative energy option,” says Gerry Manwell, Suncor’s vice president, alternate energy business development. “We want to invest in alternatives for the future, at the same time we are growing our existing energy businesses responsibly to serve today’s needs. Through our agreement with CRA, we’re aligning Suncor with the best in the landfill gas recovery business.”
“We are very pleased to be working with Suncor in pursuing landfill gas opportunities,” says Frank Rovers, CRA’s Chairman. “This agreement clearly demonstrates that Suncor is being proactive in supporting development of a significant alternative and renewable energy resource in Canada.”
Suncor Energy is a Canada-based international integrated energy company operating an oil sands plant in Fort McMurray, Alberta, and a natural gas business in Western Canada. In Ontario, Suncor has a refining and marketing operation managed under the brand name Sunoco. Suncor Energy common shares and preferred securities are listed for trading on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges (symbol SU).
