OTTAWA, (April 5, 2005) — Transport Canada has announced it will extend the deadline for carriers to jump on the Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program bandwagon.

The $4.5 million program — a joint effort between Transport Canada’s Environmental Affairs group and Natural Resources Canada’s FleetSmart program under the Action Plan 2000 on Climate Change — provides financial assistance to any truck, rail, aviation, marine, or intermodal freight company that can make an environmentally-sound case for it.

The carriers must demonstrate technologies and best practices that can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and fuel consumption. Projects may be awarded up to 50 percent of eligible costs to a maximum of $250,000 over a two-year period.

The government has extended the timeframe for carriers to apply for the current phase until May 1, 2005. The program, launched in 2001, will run until at least next year.

As reported exclusively by Today’s Trucking late last year, (www.todaystrucking.com/displayarticle.cfm?ID=3485), trucking fleets and truck-related suppliers participate in the program more than any other transport mode. Several carriers have been selected and are have gotten their various environmental projects out of the starting gate. Trucking-related proposals approved and underway include: fuel-efficiency training programs, testing of anti-idling units, adoption of fuel-saving technology, and changes to existing equipment to more environmentally friendly gear.