Fertilizer industry and energy company promote greenhouse gas emissions reduction and agricultural sustainability for Farming 4R Land

EDMONTON, April 8, 2014 /CNW/ - The Canadian Fertilizer Institute (CFI) and Capital Power Corporation are pleased to announce a Memorandum of Understanding to work together with Canadian agronomy firm Farmers Edge and Alberta's agricultural producers. The group will develop a pilot program to generate offsets utilizing the Nitrous Oxide Emissions Reduction Protocol (NERP) approved for use in the Alberta Offset System.

This spring, 15-25 Alberta farmers representing up to 50,000 acres in aggregate will produce 25,000 – 50,000 tonnes CO2e or more of Specified Gas Emitters Regulation (SGER) compliant offset credits in 2014 by applying NERP.

The fertilizer industry developed the NERP and 4R Nutrient Stewardship (Right Source @ Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place®) programming as a series of Best Management Practices designed to deliver nutrients in the most efficient manner possible. A recent George Morris Institute study showed that these practices can result in benefits of up to $87 an acre. The program's effects are not just in yield increases, however, as implementation can result in a 15 to 25 per cent decrease in N2O (nitrous oxide) emissions.

"CFI's commitment to working with Alberta's producers to improve economic and environmental performance through the use of the 4R and NERP protocol has enabled Capital Power to continue our participation in agricultural based offset projects," explains Chelsea Erhardt, Environmental Markets specialist for Capital Power.

"Working with Alberta's energy leaders like Capital Power demonstrates market confidence and support for Alberta's valued producers," stated Clyde Graham, Vice President of Strategy and Alliances at CFI. "This program is a win-win situation for farmers, the communities of Alberta and the environment. Everyone benefits when we implement practical, sustainable stewardship practices that support economic, social and environmental goals."

This MOU builds upon CFI's leadership under the Farming 4R Land program. CFI is currently undertaking a strategic program for greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction and nutrient stewardship in Alberta. Farming 4R Land is building a unique network of farmers, scientists, fertilizer and agri-business industry leaders, conservation experts, and governments. The project is bringing knowledge of improved fertilizer practices into use on Alberta farms through collaboration and sharing of BMPs based on 4R Nutrient Stewardship and the Nitrous Oxide Emissions Reduction Protocol (NERP) for associated GHG offset reductions. This project is funded through the Biological GHG Management Program, administered by Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions (AIBIO) with funding from the Climate Change and Emissions Management (CCEMC) Corporation.

The Canadian Fertilizer Institute is an industry association representing manufacturers, wholesale and retail distributors of nitrogen, phosphate, potash and sulphur fertilizers. Our mission is to be the unified voice of the Canadian fertilizer industry by promoting the responsible, sustainable and safe production, distribution and use of fertilizers. Our industry employs 12,000 Canadians and contributes $12 billion annually to Canada's economy. Our products contribute to the supply of safe, nutritious food in Canada and around the world.

Capital Power (TSX: CPX) is a growth-oriented North American power producer headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta. The company develops, acquires, operates and optimizes power generation from a variety of energy sources.

Capital Power owns more than 2,600 megawatts of power generation capacity at 14 facilities across North America and owns 371 megawatts of capacity through a power purchase agreement. An additional 490 megawatts of owned generation capacity is under construction in Alberta and Ontario.

SOURCE: Canadian Fertilizer Institute

Cassandra Cotton, Canadian Fertilizer Institute, [email protected] [phone]