Nov 15, 2010. /Lesprom Network/. West Fraser will proceed with an energy efficiency upgrade of its Hinton Pulp pulp machine. The project, which is expected to cost approximately $37 million, will be funded with credits earned under the Canadian federal government's "Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program", company said in a statement received by Lesprom Network. The pulp machine upgrade will allow Hinton Pulp to produce more pulp with greater energy efficiency and produce additional energy. The additional energy will be enough to power approximately 720 average homes. The mill's natural gas consumption is expected to be reduced by more than 55,000 gigajoules per year and greenhouse gas emissions are expected to be reduced by more than 2,750 tonnes annually. As a result of this project and other initiatives, pulp production is expected to increase to 420,000 tonnes, returning the mill to levels achieved when the mill ran two production lines. The successful completion of this project is expected to be an important step for Hinton Pulp in improving its overall competitiveness and long-term outlook. West Fraser is an integrated wood products company producing lumber, wood chips, LVL, MDF, plywood, pulp and newsprint. The Company has operations in western Canada and the southern United States.