GreenLab moves ahead
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The County of Stettler has taken the first step toward approving the development of a biofuels complex just north of Stettler.
On Wednesday, county council passed first reading of a bylaw to rezone approximately 155 acres of land from agricultural use to direct control.
If it passes second and third readings, the zoning change could allow GreenLab Energy Canada Inc. to proceed with plans to build a multimillion-dollar facility that would extract oil from canola and produce biodiesel.
Byproducts like livestock feed, pharmaceutical glycerin and electricity are also expected, and GreenLab is planning to develop a biofuels research university and business park as subsequent phases.
Jacinta Donovan, a development officer with the county, said GreenLab must now initiate a public consultation process. Thereafter, the matter would return to council for a public hearing and second and third readings.
GreenLab would ultimately also have to obtain development approval from the county.
“That’s way down the road,” said Donovan.
GreenLab announced in May 2007 that it wanted to locate a biofuels complex on a 120-acre parcel within the town of Stettler. But in June, the company told the town that the land was unsuitable for its needs.
Early last month, GreenLab CEO Robert Morrison confirmed that his company had purchased alternate property in the county and planned to seek zoning and development approvals for that site.
He explained that GreenLab wanted to remain close to the region’s canola producers.
Donovan said the new location is the southeast quarter of Section 8, Township 39, Range 19, west of the fourth meridian.
She added that a date for the public hearing and subsequent bylaw readings has not been set.
Morrison previously estimated the cost of the industrial portion of the complex alone at about $200 million.
Contact Harley Richards at hrichards@reddeeradvocate.com
