ARC Distinguished Scientist Takes Home Emerald Award
The Alberta Research Council's Dr. Bill Gunter has been awarded a prestigious 2008 Alberta Emerald Award. Gunter, who is a pioneer in the area of carbon capture and storage, won the top honour in the category of "Research and Innovation".
Dr. Bill Gunter (right) with Alberta
Environment Minister Rob Renner
Gunter feels the award is symbolic of the growing importance the environment is playing in industrial development. Gunter told the crowd at the awards ceremony, held on June 3 in Edmonton, "We're in a time that I categorize as the environmental revolution. You can compare it to the industrial revolution of the 1800s in that we are putting a high value on the environment in industry. So, I'm very pleased I could work at the Alberta Research Council in this particular area and that it's now becoming recognized nationally and internationally. It looks like it will play an important role in the province of Alberta."
Alberta Environment Minister Rob Renner, who was at Tuesday's awards ceremony, recognized Gunter's leadership in a technology that shows immense promise to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon capture and storage would redirect CO2 emissions released by industry and, instead, store them in deep underground secure geological formations such as depleted oil and gas reservoirs. It's estimated this technology could reduce Canada's greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent or more over the next century.
Gunter acknowledged the other finalist for the award in his acceptance speech saying, "We are fortunate in Alberta because of the number of people I am happy to say are my colleagues, including Bernhard Mayer, who are also working very actively in this area and have established a reputation internationally."