(Havelock, ON) This past Saturday, Dean Del Mastro, Member of Parliament for Peterborough Riding was pleased to attend the Grand Opening and Production Start of Kawartha Ethanol Inc. located in the Township of Havelock Belmont Methuen.  MP Del Mastro was joined by other Federal, Provincial and Municipal politicians to lend their support as the plant officially started production.  
 
Kawartha Ethanol Inc., when at full production, will generate 80 million litres of ethanol a year, and will employ approximately 40 people. They plan to work with local corn producers to produce a truly home-grown product that will benefit our local economy, our environment and ultimately our way of life.
 
“This is a great day for us here at Kawartha Ethanol.” stated Darrell Drain, President and CEO of Kawartha Etha- nol Inc.  “We have been working very hard for a long time to make this dream a reality. I want to thank all of our supporters, staff, stakeholders, politicians, construction crews and design teams for their continued support. We could not have done it without you and we are pleased that you could all be with us today for this special mo-
ment.” 
 
“Today is a great day for our Riding and for Kawartha Ethanol.” stated MP Del Mastro. "In particular, I want to acknowledge the determination of the Directors of Kawartha Ethanol which have guided us to this successful project completion. Despite a difficult credit and investment environment in 2009 they have managed to build an exciting modern bio-fuels facility which will contribute to the greening of Canada's energy supply for decades." 
 
The Federal Government has been pleased to support Kawartha Ethanol Inc. from its inception.  In 2007, Dean was proud to present Kawartha Ethanol Inc. with funding in the amount of $169,500 under the Biofuels Opportunities for Producers Initiative, or BOPI, program.  The funding was used to complete a business plan and site feasibility study.  Moving forward, the Federal Government will continue to support Kawartha Ethanol Inc. through the ecoENERGY for Biofuels Program.  This program is aimed at helping producers of ethanol and other renewable alternatives to gasoline and/or diesel by providing financial incentives.  The incentives are provided for the number oflitres produced in Canada and sold, based on fixed declining incentive rates established by the Program and as agreed upon in each contribution agreement.  The current rate for ethanol is $0.10 per litre.
 
“I have to tell you that I am very excited about biofuels because they represent a triple win.” stated MP Del Mastro. “For producers, for rural communities and for the environment.  That is why our Government continues to be a strong supporter of the development of biofuels across Canada and that is why it is such a pleasure to be standing
here today.”