July 31, 2009
Merritt, British Columbia
Today, the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade, Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Member of Parliament for Okanagan - Coquihalla, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced federal support for a bio-energy project with the City of Merritt and the Lower Nicola Indian Band (LNIB).
"Our Government is proud to support the economic recovery of our mountain pine beetle affected communities," said Minister Day. "Recycling waste materials into usable energy is a new green opportunity that will assist our region to move forward towards a stronger future."
This innovative initiative will determine the best approach and technology for establishing a bio-energy and/or commercial pellet plant in the Nicola Valley. The study will investigate the viability of producing wood pellets from forest and agricultural residue, municipal waste and mountain pine beetle infested fibre. The wood pellets would then be converted into energy that could heat commercial, residential and agricultural buildings.
"The funds being provided today will greatly benefit the Lower Nicola Indian Band and the City of Merritt in jointly moving forward with this opportunity to provide jobs to many band members and residents of Merritt," said Mayor Roline. "A pellet mill would use vast quantities of trees that have been killed by the pine beetle and turn them into a new fuel source greatly required in our region. It is rewarding to see that the Government of Canada is paying attention to the people most affected by the pine beetle and opening doors by funding the studies needed to move ahead."
Federal funding of $105,000 is being provided by Western Economic Diversification Canada under the Community Economic Diversification Initiative (CEDI), a component of the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program.
"The Nicola Valley is heavily dependent upon timber and lumber products, therefore, alternative fiber use will play a significant role in sustaining economic structures in the immediate future," stated Chief Don Moses of the Lower Nicola Indian Band (LNIB). "The construction of bio-energy and/or wood pellet manufacturing structures is the ultimate goal for the LNIB. Creating long-term employment for band members, as well as alternative markets for bi-products for the local sawmills and grinding operations, will be a win-win situation for both the city and the band."
For more information on the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program, please visit: http://mpb.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/
For more information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, please visit: http://www.actionplan.gc.ca/.
For additional information, contact:
Donna Howes
Communications Manager, British Columbia
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: 604-666-1318
Cell: 604-505-6616
Collette Manuel
Lower Nicola Indian Band
Telephone: 250-378-5157
Jennifer Bridarolli
City of Merritt
Telephone: 250-378-4224
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1 877 303-3388
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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