Project made possible through $276,700 from Government of Canada's Gas Tax Fund
Enderby, British Columbia, July 5, 2013 – Work is now complete on the City of Enderby's bio-energy heating system which uses waste wood to heat local municipal buildings. The total cost of the project was $296,700. The majority of the funding came from a $276,700 contribution from the federal Gas Tax Fund, with the remaining costs provided by the City.
"Our government is proud to invest in infrastructure projects like this one, as we focus on creating jobs, promoting growth and building strong, prosperous communities across Canada,"
said Colin Mayes, Member of Parliament for Okanagan-Shuswap. "The new system will allow the City to heat its buildings in a more efficient way, which will lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in Enderby for years to come."
By utilizing existing wood waste that is presently sent to a landfill or burned without capturing the heat, the City is expected to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by more than 250 tonnes per year and its operating costs by more than $85,000 annually.
"The completion of the bio-energy heating system marks the beginning of an exciting future for the City of Enderby,"
said Enderby Mayor Howie Cyr. "The system will reduce greenhouse gasses in the City, while at the same time dramatically reducing operating costs. This system also promises, through future expansion, to extend these benefits further into the community. We are grateful for the funding provided by the federal Gas Tax Fund, which represents excellent collaboration amongst UBCM, the federal and provincial governments, as well as the City of Enderby."
"Infrastructure investment through the federal Gas Tax Fund is helping to improve the efficiency of local operations,"
said Union of BC Municipalities President Mary Sjostrom. "I am very appreciative of the support provided by the federal government to implement Enderby's bio-energy project."
The federal Gas Tax Fund transfer provides long-term funding to municipalities across the country to build and revitalize their local infrastructure. The Government of Canada has invested over $10 billion to date in municipal infrastructure through this program, and passed legislation to make it a permanent transfer of $2 billion per year. As part of Economic Action Plan 2013, the Government committed to index the Gas Tax Fund to provide additional funding for communities, starting in 2014. Between 2006 and 2014, British Columbia will receive more than $1.56 billion from the Gas Tax Fund to improve local infrastructure. The Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) administers the Gas Tax Fund in BC, in collaboration with Canada and British Columbia.
For additional information about federal investments in infrastructure and to stay up-to-date with Web feeds, visit Infrastructure Canada.
For further information about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit Canada's Economic Action Plan.
For more information:
Marie-Josée Paquette
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
613-991-0700
Barry Gagnon
Chief Administrative Officer
City of Enderby
250-838-7230
Communications
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250-387-4089
Paul Taylor
Director of Communications
UBCM
250-356-2938
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
