The Assistance Program for Improving Energy Efficiency in Road, Rail and Marine Transportation (PEET) is intended to support marine and rail transportation companies and organizations in their efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The program was established as part of Measure 9 of the Gouvernement du Québec’s 2006-2012 Climate Change Action Plan: Québec and Climate Change – A Challenge for the Future. The program has a budget of $46.4 million through the Green Fund.
The program covers various activities in the marine and rail sectors. It ends on March 31, 2013.
Aim
The program aims to promote the introduction of new technologies to improve the energy efficiency of rail and marine transportation and thus reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Eligibility
The program is open to companies, municipal organizations and other legally constituted organizations with a place of business in Québec. Their submitted projects must aim to reduce GHG emissions through the introduction of new technologies or the modification or replacement of devices that improve the energy efficiency of rail or marine equipment used in the transportation of merchandise or people.
Project applications are accepted at all times.
Application obligations
When filing an application, the applicant must:
Submit a report quantifying the reduction of GHG emissions, prepared by a professional organization certified by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) on ISO 14064-2.
Upon payment of the final grant instalment, the applicant must:
Submit an audit report on the amount of GHG emissions reduced; this report must be prepared by someone certified by the CSA on ISO 14064-3 (Specification with guidance for the validation and verification of greenhouse gas assertions).
Eligible expenses
Modification or replacement of existing equipment to improve the energy efficiency of transportation equipment
Acquisition and installation of new equipment to improve the energy efficiency of transportation equipment
Acquisition of locomotives or ships to replace outdated transportation equipment that will no longer be used in Québec
Production of plans and estimates as well as engineering work aiming to improve energy efficiency
Cost of quantification and audit reports on the reduction of GHG emissions as per ISO 14064 2 and ISO 14064 3
Financial assistance
Financial assistance is set at a maximum of $1,000 per tonne of GHG emissions reduced during the entirety of the project. Financial assistance cannot exceed 50% of eligible expenses and is limited to a maximum of $4 million per project.
The applicant’s financial contribution must cover at least 33% of the project’s eligible expenses.
Financial assistance is paid in two instalments:
The first instalment, equal to 50% of the grant, is awarded once supporting documents for eligible expenses are filed;
The second instalment is paid after the first year of operation, following the submission of an audit report.
The Ministère des Transports can reduce its assistance if the amount of GHGs reduced does not meet the objectives stated in the quantification report that was submitted with the assistance application.
Research and pilot projects
The program supports research and pilot projects with the potential for energy efficiency improvement and GHG reduction in rail and marine transportation. Financial assistance for such projects may cover up to 50% of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $150,000.
Additional information
Requests for assistance should be sent to the following address:
Direction du transport maritime, aérien et ferroviaire
Ministère des Transports du Québec
700, boul. René-Lévesque Est, 24e étage
Québec (Québec) G1R 5H1
You may also call the Direction du transport maritime, aérien et ferroviaire at the following numbers:
418 644-2908 (Secrétariat au transport maritime et à la mise en valeur du Saint-Laurent) 418 646-6416 (Service du transport ferroviaire)
