Stephane Dion stops by Hydrogen Lab during N.B. visit

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FREDERICTON - Stephane Dion left the University of New Brunswick yesterday impressed with a research project he says could be central in the coming 'green revolution.'

The Canadian Press

Federal Liberal leader Stephane Dion speaks with Nancy MacIntosh, Liberal candidate for New Brunswick Southwest, left, outside Head Hall on the University of New Brunswick campus in Fredericton yesterday.

The federal Liberal leader stopped by UNB's Atlantic Hydrogen Lab during a campaign-style swing through the province. He said the group's efforts at cutting carbon dioxide emissions could be key in his environment plan should the Liberals form government in the next federal election.

"This will be (part) of the green revolution that we need to have to save the planet," Dion told reporters gathered at the university's Fredericton campus. "The fact that it exists here in Fredericton is a dream. One day this dream may come true."

The Hydrogen Lab research focuses on removing carbon from natural gas, using special technology. The result is a hydrogen-rich natural gas that emits less carbon dioxide when burned.

Blair Allen, an engineer with the project, said the lab's leading-edge technology will be of huge benefit to industry as government's further regulate carbon dioxide emissions. For example, industrial boilers could be retrofitted with the lab's equipment to burn the cleaner fuel.

"They will have no choice to move to a technology that has less emissions," he said. "(This) will be a place where they can go to get that technology."

Allen said the research would fit into Dion's green plan.

Dion, who has pledged to put a higher cost on carbon emissions, agreed.

"The very moment there is a price on carbon, they have their market," he said. "Then the sky is the limit. This will be good for our relationship with the planet and will be good for our wallets."

Dion, however, has not fully decided on how a Liberal government would fight climate change. He said he is still mulling both a carbon tax and a cap-and-trade system. The tax would start with a $15 charge for every tonne of carbon emitted, with the rates progressively rising. A cap-and-trade system would place a ceiling on emission levels and allow companies to swap a fixed amount of emission allowances.