Nanaimo, British Columbia, July 12, 2007 - The Regional District of
Nanaimo (RDN) will receive $6.8 million in federal funding through the
Canada—British Columbia—UBCM Gas Tax Agreement. The announcement was made
today by Dr. James Lunney, Member of Parliament for Nanaimo-Alberni, on
behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities, and Ron Cantelon, MLA for Parksville –
Nanaimo, on behalf of Honourable Ida Chong, Minister of Community
Services. They were joined by UBCM President Brenda Binnie and Regional
District of Nanaimo Chair Joe Stanhope.The funding is earmarked
for the Regional District of Nanaimo's two sewage treatment facilities. A
sum of $5.6 million will allow the addition of two gravity thickeners, a
cogeneration plant and a third digester at the Greater Nanaimo Pollution
Control Centre while $1.2 million is being allocated for secondary
treatment plant upgrades at the French Creek Pollution Control Centre.
"Having access to clean water is a vital need for all Canadians.
Canada's New Government is proud to partner with the Province of British
Columbia and UBCM to provide funding that will help areas such as the
Regional District of Nanaimo meet their infrastructure needs, improve
water quality, and contribute to the health of the environment," said Dr.
Lunney.
The upgrades at the Greater Nanaimo Pollution Control Centre will
reduce the need for chemically enhanced primary treatment and improve the
quality of discharges into the Strait of Georgia. With the construction of
a congeneration plant, the wastewater treatment plant will be able to
convert biogas from digested sludge into electricity, which in turn will
heat and service the plant. Surplus energy will be sold to BC Hydro until
the plant is upgraded to provide secondary treatment.
Secondary treatment upgrades at the French Creek Pollution Control
Centre involve retrofitting an existing reclaimed water tank into an
extension of the existing solids contact tank and replacing the existing
aerators and mixers with a fine bubble aeration system.
"These three projects show that when governments and organizations such
as UBCM work together, we all benefit with improved water treatment and a
greener environment," said MLA Ron Cantelon. "Infrastructure such as this
supports public health and the environment, key elements in providing for
the best quality of life in our communities now and in the future."
The Canada—British Columbia—UBCM Gas Tax Agreement provides federal
funding to local governments for public transit, community energy, water,
wastewater or solid waste infrastructure projects. To be eligible for
funding, projects must contribute to reduced greenhouse gas emissions,
cleaner water or cleaner air.
Canada's New Government is providing $635.6 million to British Columbia
from 2005 to 2010 through the Gas Tax Agreement. In Budget 2007, and as
part of its $33 billion "Building Canada" plan, the Government of Canada
extended the Gas Tax Fund by an additional $2 billion per year nationally,
from 2010 to 2014. The Gas Tax Agreement is administered in British
Columbia by the Union of BC Municipalities.
"Today's announcement demonstrates that partnerships like the Gas Tax
Agreement are an effective means for delivering results to British
Columbians," said UBCM President Binnie. "The funding provided for these
upgrades will make a significant improvement to the liquid waste
infrastructure for Greater Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum Beach and other
communities in the region."
The Regional District of Nanaimo's Liquid Waste Department is committed
to continual improvement as part of its ISO 14001 Environmental Management
System. The RDN plans to upgrade the Pollution Control Centres over the
coming months to improve effluent quality and reduce energy
consumption.
"These projects, among others, help to ensure cleaner water in our
environment and a more effective and efficient way of providing wastewater
treatment," said Regional District of Nanaimo Chairperson Joe Stanhope.
"The intent of our Regional Board is to provide leadership in creating
sustainable communities, and improvements like these are an important part
of that goal."
For background information on the Gas Tax Agreement, go to www.civicnet.bc.ca or www.infrastructure.gc.ca.
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Contacts:
Natalie SarafianPress Secretary to the Honourable Lawrence
Cannon613-991-0700Infrastructure Canada 613-948-1148
Marc BlackCommunications ManagerMinistry of Community
Services(250) 356 6334
Paul TaylorRelationships and Communications AdvisorUnion of BC
Municipalities(250) 356 2938
Sean DePolManager of Liquid WasteRegional District of
Nanaimo(250) 390-6560 or 954-3792
