Initiative produces clean energy, save money for users
Lake Country, British Columbia – A new 1.1 Megawatt micro-hydro project, the Lake Country Hydroelectric Generating Station, will provide enough renewable energy to supply 400 homes annually. The project was made possible by a nearly $2.8 million investment from the Government of Canada through the Gas Tax Fund and the ecoENERGY for Renewable Power initiative, and a $500,000 low-interest loan and $30,000 grant from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund, which is funded by an endowment from the Government of Canada.
Ron Cannan, the Member of Parliament for Kelowna—Lake Country; Norm Letnick, the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Kelowna—Lake Country; James Baker, Mayor of Lake Country; and Roland Stanke, Mayor of Clinton and representative of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities today opened the Lake Country Hydroelectric Station at an event today.
“Our Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, understands the importance of supporting infrastructure projects that create jobs, stimulate the economy and improve our environment,” said MP Cannan. “This new Hydroelectric Generating Station will not only provide more cost effective energy, but will also support environmentally sustainable energy generation.”
The new project will also provide a financial dividend to local taxpayers thanks to a long-term contract with BC Hydro that will allow Lake Country to sell the output from the new generating station. The anticipated output of the plant is 3,900 megawatt-hours per year of emissions-free power.
“The District of Lake Country is pleased to be able to produce emission free renewable energy from existing waterworks currently supplying water to the community,” said Mayor Baker. “In this way we can help to reduce our collective carbon footprint while minimizing our environmental impact and generating revenue for the District.”
“Investing in green technology through the Gas Tax Fund allows B.C. communities to meet the needs of residents while protecting the environment and supporting sustainable growth,” said MLA Letnick. “This micro-hydro project will generate renewable energy for hundreds of Lake Country homes.”
“Lake Country’s project is a great example of the potential for communities to create renewable energy from the everyday operations,” said UBCM President Robert Hobson. “The initial investment for a project like this is steep, so the support from senior levels of government is appreciated.”
The federal Gas Tax Fund is a tripartite agreement between Canada, British Columbia and UBCM delivering infrastructure funding to local governments for capital projects that lead to cleaner air, cleaner water or reduced greenhouse gas emissions. UBCM administers the Gas Tax Fund in B.C. in collaboration with Canada and British Columbia.
For further information on the Government of Canada’s infrastructure investments in British Columbia, visit www.creatingjobs.gc.ca. To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For information on FCM’s Green Municipal Fund, visit www.fcm.ca/gmf
