LOCATION, B.C. – British Columbia is cementing its stance against climate change with a $1.76 million investment to help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The announcement was made by Seamus O’Regan, minister of natural resources, and Joanne Vanderheyden, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).
The investment, through FCM’s Green Municipal Fund (GMF), is set to help improve the quality of water, land, and transportation in communities across British Columbia. “Local green solutions create jobs, lower emissions and build a more prosperous and sustainable economy for all, and this is how we get to net-zero by 2050,” said O’Regan
The Heiltsuk First Nation will receive $500,000 for a field test to replace diesel furnaces with central air-source heat pumps in 62 homes. The city of Vancouver, in partnership with the Township of Langley and the regional district of East Kootenay, will receive $396,240 to run a pilot project to demonstrate the potential of a data-driven approach to residential deep-energy retrofits. In addition, Vancouver will also receive $100,300 to explore innovative grey and green rainwater management options for the Charleson Catchment.
“Our cities and communities influence half of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. That means local action is critical,” said Vanderheyden. “With support from the Green Municipal Fund, this is what’s happening: municipalities of all sizes are implementing smart low-carbon solutions.”
The Town of Ladysmith is set to receive $246,000 for a field test to determine the effectiveness of ultraviolet disinfection compared to chlorine disinfection on viruses at the Ladysmith wastewater treatment. The town will also receive $168,400 to conduct a study on remediation of waterfront land due to contamination from historic industrial uses. The City of Richmond will be given $175,000 to evaluate and manage the environmental risks associated with the redevelopment and protection of Garden City lands – an ecologically sensitive parcel of land. The City of Surrey will receive $50,000 to study how to optimize waste-heat recovery in the district energy system.
The Village of Hazelton will earn $42,900 to determine if a new net-zero carbon facility will replace the current fire hall and public works building.