Gas Tax Fund delivers $1.25 million for energy efficiency improvements
Kelowna, British Columbia, January 18, 2012 – Through projects to reduce energy consumption at Kelowna International Airport and other city-owned buildings, the City of Kelowna will soon reduce significantly its greenhouse gas emissions, thanks to $1.25 million from Canada's Gas Tax Fund.
"Our Government is proud to deliver long-term infrastructure funding for municipalities through a permanent annual investment of $2 billion through Canada's Gas Tax Fund,"
said Ron Cannan, MP for Kelowna-Lake Country, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "I am pleased that the Gas Tax Fund is supporting key local projects that create jobs, contribute to the economy and work towards achieving a cleaner environment."
Kelowna International Airport's Drive to 1.6 Million Passengers development program will reduce overall energy consumption despite expanding the terminal size to meet growing passenger numbers. The Gas Tax Fund will assist with geothermal and radiant floor heating projects designed to help reduce the airport's overall carbon footprint.
Funding will also be used to develop an energy management program focused on the City of Kelowna's larger energy consumers. The energy management program will establish benchmarking, complete efficiency testing of large energy consumers, and formalize efforts to improve corporate energy efficiency.
"The City of Kelowna is committed to action that will reduce our energy consumption and also result in reductions in greenhouse gas emissions,"
said Walter Gray, Mayor of Kelowna. "We are grateful for this Gas Tax funding to help us continue making progress on energy reduction projects."
The City of Kelowna applied for the funding to help meet its commitment to reduce emissions under its Corporate Energy and GHG Emissions Reduction Plan endorsed by City Council in 2010.
"This is a practical application of Gas Tax Funds to manage carbon emissions while still meeting the community's goals for growing the airport's capacity,"
, said Norm Letnick, MLA Kelowna – Lake Country. "The City of Kelowna is a signatory to the Climate Action Charter and innovative projects like this are a great example of how communities can work toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions while still accommodating future growth."
Canada's Gas Tax Fund provides stable, long-term funding to local governments and other organizations to help them build and revitalize public infrastructure. The fund primarily supports capital projects such as local roads, public transit, energy systems and waste management infrastructure that lead to cleaner air, cleaner water or reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) administers the Gas Tax Fund in BC in collaboration with Canada and British Columbia. On December 15, 2011, the Government of Canada passed legislation to make the Gas Tax Fund a permanent annual investment of $2 billion.
"BC local governments have been taking big steps to reduce GHG emissions,"
said UBCM President Heath Slee. "In most cases, new technology is necessary to make substantial reductions. UBCM is very appreciative of the support the Gas Tax Fund is providing to Kelowna for this GHG reduction project."
For further information on the Government of Canada's infrastructure investments in British Columbia, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca. To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For more information:
Pierre Floréa
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Jeff Rud
Communications Director
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250-208-4028
Paul Taylor
Relationships and Communications Advisor
UBCM
250-356-2938
Sam Samaddar
Airport Director
250-765-5125, Extension 202
Martin Johansen,
Manager, Building Services
250-469-8997
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
