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Chilliwack News: Chilliwack Receives New Federal Funding For Energy Integration Planning Study

By on January 30, 2012

Submitted. The City of Chilliwack will be undertaking an Energy Integration Planning Study for the ‘Chilliwack Landing’ neighbourhood. The Chilliwack Landing area offers a unique potential for integrated energy management since it comprises an arena, pool, hospital, cultural centre, schools, and residential developments. The City’s wastewater treatment plant and a sanitary pump station are also located nearby, offering potential heat sources. The proposed Energy Integration Planning Study will require coordination among a variety of potential stakeholders (City of Chilliwack, Fraser Health, School District #33, the Province of BC, and private corporations). The study will identify and quantify heating and cooling supplies and demands in the Chilliwack Landing neighbourhood, identify potential energy solutions and barriers, and recommend next steps to advance the project. Preliminary economic feasibility assessments would also be undertaken as part of the study.
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Backgrounder
Canadaʼs Gas Tax Fund supports a range of local infrastructure priorities, including projects that help communities develop Integrated Community Sustainability (ICS) Plans. Based on local needs, these strategic projects help communities build long-term plans to manage local infrastructure renewal and achieve positive environmental results.
Chilliwack will be receiving $22,500.

Over $3.7 million from Canadaʼs Gas Tax Fund will be provided to 22 communities throughout British Columbia to support long-term infrastructure planning.
“Our Government is proud to deliver permanent annual infrastructure funding for municipalities through Canadaʼs Gas Tax Fund,” said the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “Investing in local infrastructure creates local jobs and economic growth, and the Gas Tax Fund delivers stable, predictable funding that provides communities with flexibility to choose their own infrastructure priorities. By providing greater certainty for long-term planning and local infrastructure renewal, the Gas Tax Fund is helping to strengthen communities across British Columbia and lay the foundation for a bright and prosperous future in Canada.”
The projects supported through this funding will address a broad range of strategic priorities, including growth management, community energy planning, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
“Local governments across B.C. have a strong foundation in planning, and this component of the Gas Tax Fund provides the opportunity to advance sustainability as it pertains to environmental, cultural, social and economic dimensions,” said Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.
Canadaʼs Gas Tax Fund provides stable, long-term funding to local governments and other organizations to help them build and revitalize public infrastructure. This Infrastructure Canada program 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.
“There have been significant advancements to sustainable planning practices in recent years,” said Heath Slee, President of UBCM. “The Gas Tax Fund is helping communities to take advantage of these improved tools as they design the communities in which we live.”

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