Iceland and N.S. Endorse New Anti-Pollution
Device

The governments of Nova Scotia and Iceland will share the cost of tests on a new technology that holds the promise of increasing fuel efficiency and reducing greenhouse gases.

Environment ministers Wayne Adams and Gudmundur Bjarnason of Iceland have agreed to help pay the costs of testing the fuel-burning emissions-control technology developed by Combustion Technologies Ltd. of Halifax (Comtec).

Comtec president David Butt said the catalytic emissions-control device fitted on diesel or gasoline engines can improve engine performance by upwards of eight per cent and reduce particulate and carbon dioxide emissions.

"The market needs this new technology to meet ever-increasing environmental regulations to limit the damaging effects inefficient burning of gasoline and diesel fuels have on our health, air quality and climate," said Mr. Butt.

Comtec will pay a third of the costs of conducting the test, with the results available in March.

The equipment will be tested this month at the Federal Mobile Emissions Testing Laboratory in Ottawa, using American and Canadian test standards. The tests are the final step needed by Comtec to launch its product into the market for stationary fuel boilers, marine diesel engines and vehicle fleets.

Based on positive test results, Mr. Adams has committed his department to equip up to 10 departmental vehicles with the new technology for real-world testing. The company estimates the payback period can be met at 10,000 kilometres for an average vehicle.

"The environment is something that transcends borders," said Mr. Adams. "Nova Scotia and Iceland both recognize we benefit from enhancing environmental protection and reducing energy consumption."

"I welcome increasing co-operation between Iceland and Nova Scotia in the field of environmental protection," said Mr. Bjarnason.

"No effort should be spared to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases. I hope that the product for testing will prove to be of

assistance to that end."

The announcement was made in Reykjavik at an environmental workshop attended by government and environmental industry officials from both jurisdictions. The Nova Scotia delegation was led by Economic Development and Tourism Minister Manning MacDonald.