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Federal Policy in EnergyThe Office of Energy Research and Development
The Office of Energy and Research Development (OERD) is a division of
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and has coordinated energy research and development in Canada for more than 20 years. The OERD operates under the
federal Program of Energy Research and Development (PERD) that funds
research and development designed to ensure a sustainable energy program
for Canada. The PERD directly supports 40 percent of all non-nuclear R
and D
conducted by federal and provincial organizations in Canada. The project
is concerned with all types of energy supply and use, aside from nuclear
energy.
The OERD, through the PERD project, is involved in a broad range of
activities concerning energy research and development and has
focused on six particular strategies chosen to meet the energy priorities
outlined by the federal government. These strategies, according to their
website, include
- Diversifying Canada's Oil and Gas. The OERD has placed emphasis on
finding alternative sources for oil and gas, specifically from offshore
drilling projects, especially in the Northwest Territories, and further
development of the oilsands in Alberta. Their strategy also focuses on
environmental and safety issues surrounding these projects including
ground water/soil contamination and pipeline integrity.
- Cleaner Transportation for the Future. Cleaner transportation involves
a number of innovative ideas, including renewable resources for
transportation fuel, improved vehicle efficiency, improved urban air
quality with the reduction of emissions and greenhouse gas production.
- Energy Efficient Buildings and Communities. This includes a number of
innovative ideas that focus on the array of factors that contribute to
more efficient communities and cities, including innovative waste recovery
and recycling, integration of energy efficient products into homes and
offices and improving building techniques for sturdier structures and more
efficient utilization of limited space.
- Energy Efficient Industry. Energy efficiency in industry can be
improved with innovative products, processes and systems in a number of
areas, such as: agriculture, fisheries, forestry, mining and minerals and
heavy production. The OERD works to develop efficient processes to reduce
production costs and environmental impact.
- Canadas Energy Infrastructure. The PERD strategy is seeking
alternative electrical power generation to reduce the impact on the
environment from coal burning and hydro dams. Improvements also contribute
to the efficiency of converting these renewable and non-renewable energy
resources into electricity.
- Climate Change. The OERD is concerned with the recent climate changes
and supports the Canadian energy sectors attempts to reduce their impact
on the environment. Also, the OERD is currently researching ways to
encourage the natural uptake of greenhouse gases.
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