Federal Gas Tax Funding Supports Green Energy in False Creek

Vancouver, British Columbia, January 14, 2010 – The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport), Margaret MacDiarmid, MLA for Vancouver-Fairview, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, and Marvin Hunt, Surrey City Councillor and member of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ National Board of Directors, today ‘flipped the switch’ on the City’s first renewable district heating system. The $30 million system, which uses energy created from wastewater, will heat the Olympic Village and keep 2,800 athletes and officials warm during the 2010 Winter Games.

The Neighbourhood Energy Utility (NEU) will provide heat and hot water to all buildings in Southeast False Creek, including the Olympic Village. It marks the first time in North America that heat recovered from untreated wastewater is being used in an urban centre and as the primary source of energy. This green technology will be supplemented by solar hot water.

“Our Government is pleased to invest in green energy for the Olympic Village and surrounding area,” said Minister Lunn. “The reusable energy generated from the Neighbourhood Energy Utility will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ultimately lead to cleaner air for local residents.”

“The Province is embracing clean and renewable energy as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build a greener economy,” said Margaret MacDiarmid, MLA for Vancouver-Fairview, on behalf of B.C. Community and Rural Development Minister Bill Bennett. “Cutting-edge projects like this create a strong foundation for sustainable growth and development and minimize our impact on the environment.”

“The Southeast False Creek neighbourhood is designed on environmental, social and economic sustainability principles,” said Mayor Robertson. “The NEU will serve up to 16,000 residents and businesses – reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50 per cent when compared to conventional energy sources such as gas.”

“FCM’s Green Municipal Fund offers a range of resources and services that specifically address the sustainable community development needs of municipal governments,” said Basil Stewart, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and mayor of Summerside, P.E.I. “The financing and knowledge provided by the fund supports the development of communities that are more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.

Vancouver is to be applauded for using heat recovered through the sewer system to provide community energy,” said Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) president Harry Nyce. “This project may lead to a breakthrough in technology that could be used in projects throughout the province.”

“By using a renewable resource to create heat, we’re making progress on our goal of becoming the greenest city in the world by 2020,” said Mayor Robertson.

The Government of Canada invested $9.47 million in the project through the federal Gas Tax Fund. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities invested $5 million through the Green Municipal Fund. The City of Vancouver is supplying the remainder.

The federal Gas Tax Fund is a tripartite agreement between Canada, British Columbia and UBCM delivering infrastructure funding to local governments for capital projects that lead to cleaner air, cleaner water or reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

The government of Canada extended the Gas Tax Fund to 2014 to provide a total of $1.6 billion in funding for local infrastructure in British Columbia. UBCM administers the Gas Tax Fund in B.C. in collaboration with the governments of Canada and British Columbia.

Media Contacts:

James Kusie
Director of Issues Management
Office of Canada’s Transport and Infrastructure Minister
613-991-0700

Vanessa Schneider
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gary Lunn
Minister of State (Sport)
819-934-1122

Province of BC
Ministry of Community and Rural Development
250-387-4089

City of Vancouver
Corporate Communications
604-871-6336

Paul Taylor
Relationships and Communications Advisor
Union of BC Municipalities
250-356-2938

Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148