SALMON ARM – The Government of Canada is investing in renewable energy projects across British Columbia, thanks to investments in projects through the ecoENERGY for Renewable Heat Program.
Colin Mayes, Memb ber of Parliament for Okanagan – Shuswap, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources, today announced the second project that will install solar powered water-heating systems in 130 new homes in Salmon Arm, British Colu mbia (B.C.). The Government of Canada will provide $130,000 for the Thermo Matrix Solar Project.
"Investing and partnering in this project will help to demonstrate how easily and effectively residential solar water heaters can be incorpor ated in new home construction, making the homes more efficient and attractive to potential buyers," said Mr. Mayes. "This investment is also a demonstration of how our government is keeping its commitment to reduce harmful emissions by ensuring that cl ean, renewable power from the sun, wind and oceans plays an increasingly important role in Canada's energy mix."
The Government of Canada's contribution, amounting to approximately 20 percent of the total cost of purchasing and installin g the solar water heating systems, will be delivered through the ecoENERGY for Renewable Heat initiative.
Partners in the Thermo Matrix Solar Project include Tigress Ventures Environmental Consulting, Thermo Matrix and Illingworth Develo pments.
"We are very excited to be bringing a large-scale installation of solar hot water systems to the sunny interior of B.C. and hope this project will encourage homeowners and businesses to explore the energy-saving opportunities and c ontact one of our local solar hot water installers," said Bill Potts of Thermo Matrix.
Seven renewable energy projects were announced in British Columbia, Alberta and Prince Edward Island under the ecoENERGY for Renewable programs.
Water heating accounts for between 20 and 25 percent of the average household's energy use. A solar water-heating system can meet up to 60 percent of a Canadian home's hot water needs and, depending on the energy source it replaces, can cut ener gy costs by more than $300 a year – while reducing household greenhouse gas emissions by one tonne annually.
In addition to a marketing and communications program to raise awareness of the benefits of solar water heating systems amo ng residents of the Okanagan and throughout B.C., the project also includes a detailed evaluation component that will help to support future decisions on the use of the systems.
The ecoENERGY for Renewable Heat program is one of a series o f ecoENERGY initiatives through which the Government of Canada is investing more than $3.6 billion to increase Canada's supply of clean, renewable energy and help Canadians reduce their energy costs and emissions. The initiatives are a key part of the Government of Canada's Turning the Corner plan to fight climate change by achieving an absolute reduction of 20 percent in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
The Government of Canada is investing in renewable energy in British Columbia, providing $130,000 to install solar powered water-heating systems in 130 new homes in Salmon Arm, British Columbia (B.C.)
Media may contact:
Jasmine MacDonnell
Press Sec retary
Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-996-2007
Angela Reid
President
Tigress Ventures Inc
office 250.861.4976
cell 250.215.7714
www.tigressventures.ca
or
Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
(613) 992-4447
The general public may contact:
Mon-Fri, 8:30-4:30 EDT
Telephone: 613-995-0947
TTY: 613-996-4397
(teletype for the hearing-impaired)
E-mail: questions@nrcan. gc.ca
NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media.
