True to its commitments, the STM will launch several projects related to environmental protection over the next few years, including:

BIODIESEL: SUPPLYING THE STM BUS FLEET WILL BEGIN IN NOVEMBER 2007

Biodiesel fuel is a methyl ester produced from the chemical reaction between light alcohol and fatty substances, such as vegetable fats and oils (canola, soya), recycled cooking oils or animal fats.

It can be used in pure form as an alternative fuel, or it can be combined with petrodiesel in 2%, 5% and 20% concentrations.

Because the use of biodiesel presents greater challenges in cold weather, the STM has chosen to use a 5% concentration.

IMPACT OF BIODIESEL ON GHGs

• Produces less GHG emissions than petrodiesel

• CO2 emissions from vehicle exhaust reduced by 1%

• Consuming one million litres of biodiesel:

  • reduces CO2 emissions by 3 000 tonnes

  • is equivalent to removing 600 small vehicles from the road, each one running 20 000 km a year.

A new green building for the Bus Network

In 2009, the STM expects to open a new, environmentally-friendly building:

• 950 square metres of green roof

• 500 square metres of solar-panelled wall

• recycling 15 million litres of water each year from bus washing operations

• condensing boilers (96% energy efficiency)

• exhaust gas detectors in air exchange system

• vegetation barriers

• natural daylight in work areas

• rainwater storage pond with plant material

• more efficient, less energy-consuming lighting system

• superior energy efficient of building shell

• emissions-free paint with regards to volatile organic compounds (VOC)

BUS PROCUREMENT

The STM expects to add 202 articulated buses to its fleet of vehicles beginning in 2009, in the hope of increasing ridership by 10%. If that goal is reached, it is estimated that its environmental impact would be equal to removing 2000 cars from the road, which would further reduce CO2 emissions by 10 658 tonnes.

Moreover, eight diesel-electric hybrid propulsion buses will be purchased by the STM as early as 2008, which will lead to fuel savings of 20% and a potential reduction of 330 tonnes of GHG emissions, equal to the emissions produced by 65 individual cars running 20 000 km a year.

BUS PRIORITY NETWORK

The city of Montréal expects to introduce preferential measures for buses at intersections controlled by traffic lights. This project would lead to CO2 emissions being reduced by some 324 tonnes annually, equal to removing more than 65 vehicles from circulation, each running 20 000 km a year.

DEFINITIONS

PCB (Polychlorinated Biphenyls)
Group of chemical compounds found in industrial waste. PCBs are produced when hydrogen atoms in biphenyls are replaced with chlorine atoms.
Source: Environment Canada.

Greenhouse gases (GHG)
GHGs are natural atmospheric gases that trap solar energy. Among the GHGs naturally found in the atmosphere are water vapour, ozone and nitrous oxide. Without them, the Earth’s average temperature would be about 33ºC lower, making the climate too cold to sustain life. These gases help to maintain average temperatures conducive to life on the planet.

However, human activity (such as industrial production, transportation, electricity, garbage, agriculture and home heating) also releases these gases in the atmosphere, along with several chemical compounds not naturally found there. By increasing the quantity of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, human activity can lead to climate change.
Source: Environment Canada and the Québec ministry responsible for sustainable development, the environment and parks.

EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
Agency responsible for the establishment and enforcement of environmental protection standards.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

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