NEW GREEN COMMUNITY ENERGY SYSTEM FOR PRINCE GEORGE

PRINCE GEORGE – The City of Prince George will build a new hot water community energy system thanks to more than $5.3 million from the federal and provincial governments’ Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CBCMRIF). The fund enables communities across B.C. to become healthier, greener and more sustainable places to live.

The announcement was made today by the Honourable Jay Hill, secretary of state, chief government whip and Member of Parliament for Prince George-Peace River, John Rustad, MLA for Prince George-Omineca, Shirley Bond, Deputy Premier, Minister of Education, Minister Responsible for Early Learning and Literacy and MLA for Prince George-Mount Robson and Pat Bell, Minister of Agriculture and Lands and MLA for Prince George North.

This innovative project will utilize biomass, such as wood impacted by the mountain pine beetle infestation, to decrease electricity and heating fuel consumption of downtown facilities. The new Central Energy Plant will be built to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) energy consumption standards, which reduce green house gases and air contaminants.

“The Government of Canada is proud to invest in this innovative, local project which increases efficiencies and reduces harmful emissions, further safeguarding the health of residents in the community of Prince George,” said Hill on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification. “Through collaboration and partnership, the Government of Canada is delivering on its promise to build healthier and more sustainable communities.”

“This is the kind of forward-thinking and innovative project we were hoping would be developed with this provincial and federal funding program,” said Bond. “I’m pleased that this project will improve our air quality and reduce our carbon footprint.”

“This project will make a tremendous difference to the health and sustainability of Prince George and it’s only through our partnership funding that we’re able to make it a reality,” added Bell.

“Air quality is a significant issue in our community,” said Rustad. “This green infrastructure will help improve our air shed issues and make a real difference for people in Prince George.”

“This is great news for the community of Prince George,” says Mayor Colin Kinsley. “This project will deliver renewable, stable, and cost competitive heat energy with the added benefits of improved air quality, greenhouse gas reductions, and additional local jobs.”

The majority of the program funding from the CBCMRIF, which was launched in June 2006, supports communities of fewer than 250,000 people in minimizing the costs to taxpayers of local infrastructure upgrades or new construction projects.

At least 60 per cent of the funding will assist with green projects that are geared towards enhancing environmental sustainability, such as water and waste-water systems, public transit and environmental energy improvements. Other infrastructure projects will support local roads, cultural and recreational facilities, tourism and broadband connectivity. Funding for this project is conditionally approved pending the successful completion of an environmental assessment.

The total amount available through the CBCMRIF, with federal and provincial investments and matching local government contribution, is over $220 million. More details on the program are available online at www.canadabcmrif.ca.

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Media contact:	Marc Black Communications Manager Ministry of Community Services 250 356-6334	Jackie Stewart Western Economic Diversification Canada 604 666-1306

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