Premier Brian Pallister announces that Manitoba is increasing the minimum amount of ethanol in fuels by as much as two-and-a-half times the current amount.

The Government of Manitoba says the new plan will reduce Manitoba’s emissions by almost 400,000 tonnes in five years, the equivalent of 100,000 cars being taken off the road.

“We have the cleanest electricity in Canada already and soon we will have the cleanest fuels in Canada too,” said Pallister.  “Manitoba is leading the country once again.”

This announcement comes after sharing the province's plans with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau yesterday.

The province's plan is to increase ethanol levels in gasoline from 8.5 percent to 10 percent and diesel from two percent to five percent.

Ethanol comes from starch-based plants, primarily corn, and is a second energy source in gasoline. This type of energy has a lower impact on the environment when it is created and used, but too much can damage engines. Most vehicles can handle up to 15 percent ethanol content, which is five percent more than the proposed raise.

Pallister's commitment to the Carbon Tax has been low, but Manitoba's new commitment will help the province reach proposed goals in the Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan.

Other proposed initiatives in the Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan include watershed management strategies, investment in hydroelectricity, and fuel-efficiency measures for the trucking industry.