$5-MILLION INVESTMENT LAUNCHES SOLARBC

DAWSON CREEK – The Province is investing $5 million in the SolarBC program to encourage the installation of solar hot water heaters in homes, municipal buildings, schools, social housing and First Nations communities, Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Minister Richard Neufeld announced today.

“The SolarBC program supports the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and builds on the BC Energy Plan commitment for electricity self-sufficiency,” said Neufeld. “This is a great example of how B.C. is a leader in the alternative energy sector, and how solar can play a significant role in our future energy supply.”

The funding will support six SolarBC projects, including: Residential Retrofit, Local Government Solar Thermal, First Nations Solar, Social Housing Solar, Solar for Schools and Solar Communities. Five B.C. communities will have the opportunity to become solar-friendly and be part of a sustainable energy future.

“Communities throughout the province will benefit from a clean, renewable and climate-friendly source of energy,” said Blair Lekstrom, Minister of Community Development and MLA for Peace River South. “By harnessing solar power, we are promoting a sustainable environment.”

Dawson Creek is a community leader in its use of solar technology, and its target is to be a sustainable city focusing on reducing the city’s environmental impact. Mayor Calvin Kruk received the Solar Leader of the Year award from the Canadian Solar Industry Association in November 2007.

“I am pleased to see more sources of clean energy being developed,” said Kruk. “This is a promising technology, which will add to Dawson Creek’s high quality of life and reputation for innovation.”

Solar hot water systems reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about one tonne per year for a single family home using natural gas for water heating. The increased use of solar energy technology is part of a broader sustainable energy strategy that will help the Province reach its goal to curb greenhouse gas emissions by 33 per cent by 2020.

“SolarBC is leading a comprehensive program to promote the deployment of solar technologies,” said Nitya C. Harris, executive director of SolarBC. “This funding will help us achieve the goal of widespread adoption of solar hot water systems throughout B.C.”

SolarBC supports the BC Energy Plan conservation target to acquire 50 per cent of BC Hydro's resource needs through conservation by 2020.

For more information on SolarBC, please visit www.solarbc.ca.

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Audio clips of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Minister Richard Neufeld discussing today's announcement and talking about the significance of solar technology are available at:

http://www.mediaroom.gov.bc.ca/DisplayEventDetails.aspx?eventId=416

1 backgrounder(s) attached.
Media contact:	Jake Jacobs Public Affairs Officer Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources 250 952-0628 250 213-6934 (cell)

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