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Transport Canada recently announced plans to provide $2.4 million from its Freight Technology Demonstration Fund for eight "ecoFREIGHT" initiatives in the rail, truck, marine and air sectors. The agency also will provide $3.7 million from the Freight Technology Incentives Program for 15 projects.

The technology demonstration and technology incentives funds are part of Transport Canada's ecoFREIGHT program, which aims to reduce freight transportation's effects on human health and the environment by promoting technologies and best practices. Eligible projects receive funds covering half of costs, up to $500,000, and must be implemented within two years.

"These ecoFREIGHT initiatives help transport companies acquire available technology," said Canadian Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Lawrence Cannon in a prepared statement. "The result is lower emissions of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants."

Eligible rail projects receiving Freight Technology Demonstration Funds include Canadian Pacific Railway's demonstration of ultra-low-emitting GenSet yard switchers and road locomotives. The Class I, which will receive $500,000 from Transport Canada, has ordered two 2,100-horsepower GenSet locomotives from National Railway Equipment Co. (NREC) designed to reduce air emissions and cut fuel usage.

"We are always looking for innovations that reduce our environmental footprint and make rail an even cleaner mode of transportation," said CPR Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Kathryn McQuade.

In addition, Compagnie de Gestion de Matane will receive up to $337,000 from Transport Canada to demonstrate a common rail fuel injection system that will be retrofitted on a 1970s-era ferry diesel engine.

Under the Freight Technology Incentives Program, Transport Canada will provide $242,722 to the QNS & L Railway to install three top-of-rail lubrication systems; $198,401 to Goderich-Exeter Railway Co. to purchase of 11 diesel auxiliary power units (APUs); $126,255 to Southern Ontario Railway-RaiLink Canada Ltd. to purchase seven APUs; $72,146 to Cape Breton and Central Nova Scotia Railway Ltd. to purchase four APUs; $36,073 to Ottawa Valley-RaiLink Canada Ltd. to purchase two APUs; $490,750 to Viterra Inc. to purchase an ultra-low-emitting N-ViroMotive™ GenSet locomotive from NREC for a Vancouver grain terminal; and $210,840 to Petro-Canada to purchase a light rail-car mover to shuttle cars between the Port of Vancouver and a Coquitlam, British Columbia, yard.