Ontario Ministry of the Environment: Overview and Opportunities

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Ontario Ministry of the Environment Overview and
Opportunities
Presentation to Ottawa Cleantech Initiative Dec
16/08 Breakfast Meeting
Sean Avery, P.Eng. Technology Standards
Section Standards Development Branch
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Overview and Opportunities
Purpose of the presentation

• Create awareness of the direction that
  industry is heading with respect to technology
  used for the care and preservation of the
  environment
• Highlight areas that the Ministry of the
  Environment (MOE) has identified as needing more
  innovative solutions from our companies and
  research institutions and,
• Allow the MOE to communicate any overall
  strategies going forward that the local industry
  and research can align with.

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Overview and Opportunities
Ontario Government Ministries and Agencies

• This presentation will cover programs in the
  following organizations
• Ministry of Research and Innovation (MRI)
• Ministry of the Environment (MOE) and,
• Ontario Centre for Environmental Technology
  Advancement (OCETA).

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Ministry of Research and Innovation (MRI)
Overview of Programs

• Innovation Demonstration Fund
• Next Generation of Jobs Fund
• Ontario Research Fund
• Ontario Centres of Excellence

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Innovation Demonstration Fund (IDF)
Overview

• Funding program that focuses on the
  commercialization and initial demonstration of
  globally competitive, innovative technologies,
  processes and/or products.
• The objective of the IDF is to help companies
  in their efforts to commercialize innovative
  technologies in Ontario.
• Preference will be given to bio-based,
  environmental and alternative energy
  technologies. The funding is to be used for
  technology demonstration activities at the pilot
  stage.

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Innovation Demonstration Fund (contd)
What Amount of Support Would IDF Provide?

• IDF will provide financial support covering up
  to 50 percent of eligible costs for approved
  eligible projects that have as their goal
  commercialization.
• The funding potentially available under IDF
  ranges from a minimum of 100,000 to a maximum of
  4,000,000 per project.

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Innovation Demonstration Fund (contd)
Who May Apply?

• Companies with eligible projects that will be
  undertaken in Ontario, and where the project will
  result in full scale commercialization in
  Ontario. Applicants must demonstrate how
• The proposed technology demonstration at the
  pilot stage will provide a competitive advantage
  for Ontario or other significant benefits.
• The technology, product or process is best in
  class and will lead to a globally competitive
  business and market opportunity.
• Following a successful pilot, the technology
  product or process will be moved into the global
  market.

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Innovation Demonstration Fund (contd)
What is the Evaluation Process?

• MRI will conduct an initial review of the
  applications and will seek technical review from
  external experts as well as a financial due
  diligence review by an independent Third Party
  reviewer.
• The evaluation process will be as follows
• Initial review by MRI
• Evaluation by inter-ministerial review team
• Technical review by external experts
• Financial due diligence review by external
  experts and
• Evaluation of reviews by MRI and subsequent
  funding decisions for successful applicants.

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Innovation Demonstration Fund (contd)
Current status of the program

• Note Due to the tremendous success of the IDF
  program, almost all of the 30 million funding
  has been allocated.
• New proposals will continue to be accepted, as
  the government considers future funding options.
• MRI welcomes your input! Please contact them
  at idf_at_ontario.ca with your ideas and suggestions.

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Innovation Demonstration Fund (contd)
Success Stories

• Plasco Energy Group Plasco Trail Road
  project
• Greencore Composites Inc. Green Inside
• The Woodbridge Group BioFoam
• 3M Canada engineered films
• KmX Azeo-Sep project
• Stemergy BioFibre Refinery

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Innovation Demonstration Fund (contd)
Success Stories

• Greencore Composites Inc. Green Inside
• Working to commercialize its Green Inside
  material (a high-performance natural fibre
  reinforced composite) for use in the auto,
  furniture, industrial equipment, and storage and
  container sectors.
• The Woodbridge Group BioFoam
• 2009 Ford Escape features seat cushions made from
  BioFoam (a soy-based polyol in polyurethane
  automotive products).

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Next Generation of Jobs Fund
Overview

• A five-year, 1.15 billion strategy that can
  help innovative companies take the lead in
  worldwide markets which offer long-term growth
  potential.
• Purpose is to support research, development
  and commercialization in innovative industries
  and attract new investments in strategic areas of
  Ontarios economy.
• Support is available for high impact, large
  scale projects that can create good
  knowledge-based jobs in Ontario.
• Modeled after the governments successful 500
  million Ontario Automotive Strategy.

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Next Generation of Jobs Fund (contd)
Objectives

• To support companies or privately-led
  initiatives that will achieve one or more of the
  following
• Secure new knowledge-based jobs and investment
  in Ontario
• Build Ontarios strengths in sectors where the
  province is, or has the potential to be, a global
  leader
• Support the growth and success of value-added
  businesses through the development and expansion
  of their global markets and export
• Support private-public partnerships that will
  build Ontarios expertise for innovation and
  commercialization
• Supports Ontarios Go Green Plan by reducing
  energy consumption and carbon emissions or,
• Improve Ontario's reputation as a globally
  competitive jurisdiction that can compete and win
  international investment.

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Next Generation of Jobs Fund (contd)
Wide range of new economy sectors are targeted

• Green auto research, parts production and
  assembly.
• Clean fuels research, development and
  commercialization.
• Environmental technologies, clean industries
  and bio-economy.
• Advanced health technologies.
• Digital media and information and
  communications technology.
• Pharmaceutical research and manufacturing.
• Financial services.

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Next Generation of Jobs Fund (contd)
Three streams of investment activity

• Jobs and Investment Program
• Targeted to support business
  expansion/retention and attract foreign
  investment.
• Biopharmaceutical Investment Program
• Targeted to encourage research-based
  pharmaceutical companies to invest in Ontario.
• Strategic Opportunities Program (SOP)
• 5-yr grant program that supports strategic,
  industry-led programs and projects in targeted
  areas of strength for Ontario.

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Strategic Opportunities Program (SOP)
Overview

• Strategic Opportunities Program is a part of
  the Next Generation of Jobs Fund (NGOJF).
• SOP will initially focus on strategic
  opportunities in the following focus areas
• Bio-economy and clean technologies
• Advanced health technologies and
• Digital media and information and
  communications technologies.
• MRI will provide up to 25 of the total
  eligible costs of an approved proposal with a
  minimum proposal size of 25 million over 5 years.

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Strategic Opportunities Program
Expected environmental results

• Consistency with and supportive of Ontarios
  Go Green plan through
• Greener and lower lifecycle carbon products
  e.g. mainstream production of higher efficiency
  vehicles
• Adoption of innovative low carbon, industrial
  processes e.g. more energy efficient
  manufacturing, recycling and broader
  conservation
• Sustainable facilities that integrate urban
  and natural systems using low-carbon construction
  materials and methods and,
• Green logistics improve materials and
  product handling performance, e.g. using more
  efficient modes of transportation to address
  issues related to the need for just-in-time
  inventories.

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Next Generation of Jobs Fund
CONTACT
Next Generation of Jobs Fund (NGOJF)
Secretariat Ministry of Economic Development and
Trade 6th Floor, Hearst Block 900 Bay Street
Toronto, ON M7A 2E1 Email NGOJF_at_ontario.ca
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Strategic Opportunities Program
CONTACT
Strategic Opportunities Program 11th Floor, 56
Wellesley St. W. Toronto, ON M7A 2E7 Phone
416-314-2525 E-mail strategicopportunities_at_ontari
o.ca
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Ontario Research Fund
Overview

• A key part of the government's plan to support
  scientific excellence by supporting research that
  can be developed into innovative goods and
  services that will boost Ontario's economy.
• Through a commitment of 625 million over four
  years, Ontario is providing talented researchers
  with the support they need to undertake
  cutting-edge research.
• Designed to provide Ontarios research
  community with one window for research funding.
• Aims to keep Ontarios researchers at the
  leading-edge by supporting
• The operational costs (direct and indirect) of
  research through its Research Excellence program
  and,
• The capital costs of research through its
  Research Infrastructure program.

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Ontario Research Fund
Success story

• A better way of designing landfills
• A team of University of Ottawa researchers are
  developing a system that de-contaminates waste in
  a fraction of the time it currently takes and, in
  the process, puts the by-products to productive
  use.
• Already validated the BioReactor system on a
  pilot scale. Going to be doing it on a large
  scale at the Laflèche Eco-Industrial Park in
  Moose Creek.
• The 3 million project is funded in part by
  the Research Excellence program. If its
  successful its a system that could be exported
  globally, putting Ontario at the forefront of
  waste disposal technology.

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Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE)
Overview

• OCE is a not-for-profit corporation that
  designs and delivers programs made possible
  through the financial support of the Ontario
  Ministry of Research and Innovation.
• OCE drives the commercialization of
  collaborations between researchers and industry,
  and fosters the development and deployment of the
  next generation of talent across a range of
  market sectors.
• Included in the OCE portfolio are
• Communications and Information technology
• Earth and Environmental Technologies
• Energy
• Materials and Manufacturing
• Photonics and,
• Commercialization of Research.

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Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE)
Centre of Excellence for Earth and Environmental
Technologies

• Helps Ontario organizations compete by adopting
  innovative, environmentally responsible
  solutions.
• Facilitates the development and execution of RD
  that drives commercially viable outcomes
  contributing to clean air, water, land, and smart
  infrastructures.
• Discovery Forum May 11-12, 2009 Toronto
• Brings together private industry, investors,
  scientists, researchers and government to pursue
  opportunities for collaboration.
• Registration is open at www.ocediscovery.com

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Ministry of the Environment
Programs and Publications

• New Environmental Technologies Evaluation (
  NETE) program
• Best in Science (BIS) program

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New Environmental Technologies Evaluation (NETE)
Program

• Purpose of the NETE program is to assist the
  development, marketing and application of new
  environmental technologies.
• Program has been active since 1997. Over 50
  new technologies have been reviewed and assessed.
• MOE staff will assess/evaluate your new
  technology and issue an Opinion Letter or a
  Certificate, commenting on the environmental
  performance of the new technology.
• Support of the Opinion Letter or Certificate
  is a big advantage in convincing potential
  customers, in Canada and abroad, about the
  performance of your new technology, and in
  obtaining government approvals.

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New Environmental Technologies Evaluation Program
(contd)

• The NETE program applies to
• materials and chemicals that may be used as
  equipment coatings or in drinking water, water
  conditioning or treatment and waste water
  treatment applications and,
• process or pollution control technologies
  designed to reduce emissions or discharges to the
  environment or clean up or control contaminants
  in the environment.
• Technologies being targeted are technologies
  where
• some or all aspects of a technology's
  performance are unproven or the long-term
  performance has not been demonstrated or,
• a technology's performance has been
  demonstrated and long-term performance data is
  available (this may include the application of an
  existing technology for non-conventional uses).

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New Environmental Technologies Evaluation Program
(contd)

• These technologies will likely fall into one
  or more of the following categories
• drinking water treatment and supply
• municipal and industrial wastewater treatment
• air pollution prevention and control
• hazardous waste management or,
• site remediation.
• Technologies that can benefit the environment
  but that do not fit into any of the above
  categories may also be considered for evaluation.

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New Environmental Technologies Evaluation Program
(contd)
Types of Assessment

• A fee-for-service schedule has been
  established as follows
• 500 for an Opinion Letter of Technology
  Assessment for a chemical, chemical coating or
  construction material for use in the processing,
  treatment or supply of drinking water
• 1500 for an Opinion Letter of Technology
  Assessment for a technology for which no
  demonstrated large-scale performance data are
  available and
• 2500 for a Certificate of Technology
  Assessment for a technology for which large-scale
  performance data have been submitted.

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New Environmental Technologies Evaluation Program
(contd)
Timeline and Contact Info

• A Guide for Applicants www.ene.gov.on.ca
• Every effort to issue a written opinion letter
  or certificate within one month after all
  required information is received. Some
  applications may be very complex and take more
  time to evaluate.
• Further information contact Manager,
  Technology Standards Section Standards
  Development Branch Ministry of the Environment 40
  St. Clair Ave. W., 7th Floor Toronto ON M4V lL5
  e-mail me at steve.radcliffe_at_ontatio.ca
• A technology evaluation under the Ontario
  program will streamline the approvals process for
  site-specific new technology demonstrations in
  Ontario.

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Best in Science
Program Overview

• Research supported through the ministrys Best
  in Science (BIS) program generates valuable new
  information and may provide novel/improved
  technologies that will enhance knowledge in the
  area of Ontarios environmental priorities.
• BIS aims to
• Encourage and promote the work of Ministry
  scientists, engineers and technical staff
• Invest in science that supports the
  development of good public policy and improved
  environmental outcomes
• Proactively contribute to healthier
  communities and ecosystems and
• Position the Ministry at the forefront of
  environmental science.

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Best in Science
Program Overview (contd)

• Ministry draws on a broad community of
  environmental scientists to engage in advanced
  scientific research and produce reliable
  information that contributes to achieving a
  healthier natural environment.
• This research community includes the
  Ministrys own scientists, scientists across the
  Ontario Public Service, at other levels of
  government, universities, research networks and
  industry.
• The Program encourages scientific research
  relevant to Ontarios environmental priorities by
  providing financial and in-kind resources for
  partnership research projects.

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Best in Science
Program Overview (contd)

• Research is undertaken through two
  initiatives
• Collaborative Research Projects
• supports collaborative research by pairing
  Ministry scientists with researchers from
  Ontarios universities, colleges, and other
  research institutions to work on projects of
  priority interest to the Ministry.
• through these effective links Ministry staff
  are exposed to new approaches and tools in
  environmental science.
• Grants Research Projects
• receive financial support from the Ministry
  and are conceived and conducted by external
  researchers. Ministry staff may also provide
  guidance on grant-funded projects as members of
  project steering committees.

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Best in Science (contd)
Supported research areas and projects

• Examples of supported research include the
  following
• Air Emissions/Monitoring Antimicrobial
  Resistance
• Ecosystems Geographical Information
  Systems
• Groundwater Mercury/Metals in the
  Environment
• Persistent Organic Pollutants
  Pharmaceuticals and Personal care Products
• Source Water Protection and
  Water/Wastewater/Sewage Treatment.
• For more information, please contact the Best in
  Science Program at
• bestinscience_at_ontario.ca
• Tel [phone]

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Ontario Centre for Technology Advancement (OCETA)
Overview

• A not-for-profit corporation that supports the
  commercialization and market acceptance of
  innovative technologies and environmentally
  sustainable solutions.
• Clean Technology services offered
• Environmental Technology Verification (ETV
  Canada)
• Cleantech e-News Service

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Environmental Technology Verification (ETV)
Program
Overview

• ETV Canada, a division of OCETA, operates the
  ETV Canada Program (established in 1997) on
  behalf of the Government of Canada.
• Provides the marketplace with the assurance
  that environmental performance claims are valid,
  credible and supported by quality independent
  test data and information.
• A total of 55 technologies have been verified
  to date.

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Environmental Technology Verification Program
Overview (contd)

• There is a 3-part strategy consisting of
• Technology Verification
• working closely with technology innovators and
  qualified verification organizations
• Performance Benchmarking
• based on the development of credible
  stakeholder-driven performance criteria and the
  transparent reporting of performance information.
  
• International Harmonization of Protocols and Test
  Methods
• building on the established ETV Generic Test
  Protocol and related decision-support tools.

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Environmental Technology Verification Program
Overview (contd)

• The list below are typical environmental subject
  areas where technologies can be developed for
  eventual verification
• Pollution prevention Pollution detection and
  monitoring
• Environmentally-related human health
  protection
• Pollution control and treatment
• Instrumentation and measurement systems for
  environmental protection or remediation
• Energy efficiency/management Emergency
  response
• Non-hazardous and hazardous waste management
• Site remediation and restoration Land and
  natural resource management and,
• Greenhouse gas reduction/monitoring.

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Environmental Technology Verification Program
Overview (contd)

• Testing the cost of testing (to produce the
  reliable data required) is usually paid directly
  to the testing organization and analytical
  laboratory by the vendor.
• Verification fees are paid by the applicant
  company to ETV Canada as follows
• 2,000 - formal application fee. 1,000 is
  non-refundable and 1,000 is credited to the
  applicant if verification is pursued
• 15,000 - 20,000 - actual cost of verification
  (this includes the work done by the verification
  entity) this amount also includes the cost for
  the production and printing of 400 copies of the
  Technology Fact Sheet (1,500) 200 of the 400
  copies are kept by ETV Canada for promotion
  purposes and,
• 2,000 - renewal fee for every three year
  period.

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Environmental Technology Verification Program
Overview (contd)

• Upon successful verification the company is
  issued three documents
• A framed Verification Certificate, signed by
  the CEO of OCETA
• 200 Technology Fact Sheets and,
• A Final Verification Report.
• The company is also entitled to use the ETV
  logo (on the specified documentation) to market
  their technology in Canada and abroad.
• The company is usually awarded the
  Verification Certificate by the Federal Minister
  of the Environment at a major Canadian tradeshow.
  
• Verified technologies are also profiled on the
  ETV Canada website.

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Environmental Technology Verification (ETV)
Program
Recent Developments

• Discussion paper released on December 8, 2008
  by Environment Canada (EC), seeking to overhaul
  its system for the verification of environmental
  technologies.
• Strategic evolution from a marketing tool to
  one that more closely aligns with the Federal
  Governments strategy to address climate change
  and other National environmental priorities.
• Strategy builds on international efforts to
  harmonize technology verification programs as a
  mechanism to facilitate the mutual acceptance of
  data, accelerate the transfer and market adoption
  of environmental technologies and minimize
  potential trade barriers.
• EC has issued a Request for Expressions of
  Interest to select the most qualified
  organization to deliver a redesigned ETV Program.

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Overview and Opportunities
Summary and Conclusions

• Many government funding programs to support
  research and movement towards commercialization
  through the Ministry of Research and Innovation
• Innovation Demonstration Fund
• Next Generation of Jobs Fund
• Ontario Research Fund
• Ontario Centres of Excellence
• Ministry of the Environment Programs that
  encourage research and innovation include
• New Environmental Technologies Evaluation (
  NETE) program
• Best in Science (BIS) program
• Ontario Centre for Technology Advancement
  (OCETA) supports the commercialization of clean
  technologies

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Thank You
Steven Radcliffe, P.Eng. Technology Standards
Section Standards Development Branch Ontario
Ministry of the Environment 416 212-3347