EDMONTON, Sept. 7 /CNW Telbec/ - In support of the Government of Canada's
Biodiesel Initiative, the Alberta Research Council Inc. (ARC) has teamed up
with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) to create an on-line Biofuels Quality
Registry.

Biodiesel producers and end-users can now register on the Biofuels
Quality Registry Web site, an extranet site hosted by ARC, to have their
products tested for quality. The site is established as the national database
into which analysis results of candidate biofuels are entered. This registry
will help ensure that end-users have a quality product and producers have an
option for quality control.

"Biofuels are a crucial and innovative part of our efforts to ensure a
clean environment in the years to come and achieve our ultimate objectives
regarding climate change," said the Honourable R. John Efford, Minister of
Natural Resources Canada. "We are pleased to work with ARC on this project to
make clean alternative fuels a viable alternative for producers and       
end-users."

NRCan will provide a partial rebate on the cost of the analysis, which
averages $1,400, to encourage more small and medium-sized producers, as well
as end-users, to have biodiesel analyzed on a regular basis. This is a two-
year program with $100,000 available per year.

A Biofuels Technical Steering Committee (BTSC) consisting of
representatives from ARC, NRCan and Environment Canada will approve all
applications for incentives. NRCan and Environment Canada will use the
information collected to support research and policy activities.

The results obtained from the fuel quality tests of biodiesel will be
entered into an accessible database that will track biodiesel quality metrics,
thus developing an industry protocol and standard for biofuel analysis.

ARC's Fuels and Lubricants Group (FLG) will perform the fuel testing. FLG
is a nationally recognized accredited laboratory with an exceptional
reputation for producing high-quality results for more than 65 years. During
this time, the laboratory has conducted quality assurance programs for the
Canadian petroleum industry and has developed significant expertise for a wide
range of petroleum analyses including fuel certifications. This expertise has
recently expanded to the analysis of biodiesel.

NRCan will use the information gathered by the registry to develop a set
of specifications for biofuels in Canada and help establish a quality
benchmark for biodiesel. The Government of Canada may also use the information
to compile an annual trends report that will be available through the site.
All results will be confidential and specific to the user.

"All analytical data will be confidentially coded," says Deni Sarnelli,
program coordinator, ARC, "This will offer complete security to the user.
Users apply for approval, receive a username and password, then send in the
sample for analysis and check online for results."

The Biofuels Quality Registry is part of the Biodiesel Initiative
proposed in 2003 within the Climate Change Plan for Canada to improve the
environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Funding was allocated to the
initiative to address technical and market barriers to the Canadian biodiesel
industry.

The extranet site can be found at www.biofuels.arc.ab.ca .

The Alberta Research Council Inc. (ARC) delivers innovative science and
technology solutions to meet the priorities of industry and government in
Alberta and beyond. Integrated multi-disciplinary teams help customers and
partners take technologies from the laboratory to the field, strengthening
their competitiveness and sustainability. ARC accelerates the development of
products, processes and services in the energy, life sciences, agriculture,
environment, forestry and manufacturing sectors.

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is a Government of Canada department
specializing in the sustainable development and use of natural resources,
energy, minerals and metals, forests and Earth sciences.

For further information: media may contact:

Ghyslain Charron, Media Relations, Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa, (613) 992-4447; Tom Ormsby,
Director of Communications, Office of the Minister, Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa, (613) 996-2007; Deni Sarnelli, Program Officer, Alberta Research Council Inc., (780) 450-5109, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , www.arc.ab.ca ; To arrange for a photo, please contact : Bernie Poitras, Alberta Research Council
Inc., (780) 450-5145, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it