Media Advisory/Natural Resources Canada/Government of Canada-RETRANSMISSION: Harper Government Launches $1-Billion

EDMONTON, ALBERTA, May 19 (MARKET WIRE) --
NOTE TO EDITORS: A photo for this release will be available on
Marketwire's website.

Canada will further demonstrate its leadership in the development and
advancement of clean energy technologies thanks to the launch of the
$1-billion Clean Energy Fund, announced today by the Honourable Lisa
Raitt, Minister of Natural Resources, during an address to the University
of Alberta.

"By investing in the Clean Energy Fund, our Government is encouraging new
technologies now to help protect and preserve our environment for future
generations," said the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Natural
Resources. "Not only will this funding protect our long-term energy
security, but this additional stimulus creates high-quality jobs for
Canadians at a time when they're most needed."

The Fund invests $850 million in technology development and
demonstration. This includes $650 million for large-scale carbon capture
and storage (CCS) demonstration projects and $200 million for
smaller-scale demonstration projects of renewable and alternative energy
technologies.

Minister Raitt also announced that there will be a $150-million research
component. This will fund initiatives ranging from basic research to
pre-demonstration pilot projects of technologies ranging from next
generation renewable and cleaner energy systems to new technologies to
address environmental challenges in the oil sands such as water use and
tailings.

An initial request for proposals for the small-scale demonstration
component of the program was issued by the Government today.

In addition to advancing key clean energy technologies in Canada,
investments through the Clean Energy Fund will also support Canada's work
with the United States in building a cleaner energy economy for North
America through the Canada-U.S. Clean Energy Dialogue.

Part of the Government of Canada's Economic Action Plan (2009), the Clean
Energy Fund will generate new economic activity in the short term, while
strengthening the foundation for sustainable prosperity in the future.
The Economic Action Plan includes new measures totalling almost $2.4
billion to support a cleaner and more sustainable environment and help
meet Canada's climate change objectives.

For more information on the calls for proposals and other relevant
details, visit http://cef-fep.nrcan.gc.ca.

To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit
www.actionplan.gc.ca.

FOR BROADCAST USE:

The federal government is investing $1 billion to make Canada's economy
greener. Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt has announced the creation
of a new Clean Energy Fund to demonstrate and advance Canada's leadership
in the development of clean energy technologies.

The following backgrounder is available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media

The Clean Energy Fund

NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at
www.nrcan.gc.ca/media.

NOTE TO EDITORS: A photo for this release will be available on
Marketwire's website at the following address:
http://www.marketwire.com/library/20090519-NRC_800.jpg.

Contacts:
Office of the Honourable Lisa Raitt
Ottawa
Jasmine MacDonnell
Director of Communications
613-996-2007

Copyright 2009, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

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