From new boilers to air source heat pumps and electric cars, school districts throughout B.C. have cut their carbon emissions and operation costs with the Ministry of Education's Carbon Neutral Capital Program (CNCP).

Since 2012, districts have achieved more than $873,000 in cumulative operating cost savings and reduced their annual carbon dioxide emissions by a total of 3,030 tonnes.

The ministry is providing $5 million again this year to help districts launch more green projects in 2014-15. A total of $4.55 million will be allocated to projects in 28 school districts. The remaining $454,000 will be distributed to 45 districts so they can conduct energy and mechanical studies for future projects.

Some of the projects that districts will implement include boiler replacements, air source heat pumps and carbon dioxide sensor installations. All of these projects will allow the districts to reduce electricity and natural gas usage at their schools.

In addition, the program has paved the way for a unique project - the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) community connection project-at North Island Secondary in Port McNeil. The Vancouver Island North school district (SD85) has partnered with the District of Mount Waddington to use the clean waste heat from the nearby Chilton Regional Arena ice rink to heat the school.

Instead of relying on electricity as their main source of heat year-round, heat will be extracted from the arena from September to April, thereby reducing the school's power consumption significantly during the coldest months. This partnership will also help the community's ice rink refrigeration system operate more efficiently in the future.

The Ministry of Education launched the Carbon Neutral Capital Program in 2012 to compensate school districts for the amount they pay to purchase carbon offsets from Pacific Carbon Trust each year by funding projects that reduce emissions and save money. The program was developed in consultations with education stakeholders including the British Columbia School Trustees Association.

Quotes:

Peter Fassbender, Minister of Education -

"We launched the Carbon Neutral Capital Program two years ago and since then, districts throughout B.C. have made great strides in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and school operation costs in the process.

Many districts have also turned their schools' green upgrades and features into classroom lessons so students can learn about the importance of climate action."

Quick Facts:

• Since 2012, the ministry has provided $5 million each year to eligible school districts for a total of $15 million.
• The Carbon Neutral Capital Program was designed by a steering committee made up of representatives from the British Columbia School Trustees Association, BC Association of School Business Officials, Educational Facility Managers Association of BC, Climate Action Secretariat and Ministry of Education.
• The carbon neutral government regulation came into effect in December 2008. It sets out details concerning measurement, reporting and offsetting emissions by public-sector organizations that are required to comply with the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets Act.
• In 2010, B.C. became the first province or state in North America to become carbon neutral. The B.C. government's approach to carbon neutrality drives down greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, reduces energy costs and produces savings public-sector organizations can reinvest in energy saving projects. Those projects, in turn, create jobs in B.C.'s clean energy sector.
• Since 2008, B.C. has committed $75 million to public sector energy projects through the Public Sector Energy Conservation Agreement (PSECA) as additional funding for public sector energy projects.

Learn More:

BC's Education Plan: www.bcedplan.ca

Media Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963

BACKGROUNDER

The following school districts are the successful applicants to the Ministry of Education's 2014-15 Carbon Neutral Capital Program and will receive funding for their projects:

• Southeast Kootenay (SD 5): $121,594 for recommission controls at various schools
• Kootenay-Columbia (SD 20): $296,500 for boiler replacement at Rossland Secondary
• Vernon (SD22): $85,000 for control upgrade at Harwood Elementary
• Central Okanagan (SD 23): $209,460 for boiler replacement at Mount Boucherie Secondary
• Surrey (SD 36): $239,000 for boiler replacement at David Brankin Elementary
• Richmond (SD 38): $342,500 for boiler replacement at Burnett Secondary
• Vancouver (SD 39): $180,000 for Direct Digital Control (DDC) system upgrade at various schools
• Burnaby (SD 41): $180,000 for boiler replacement at Aubrey Elementary/Forest Grove Elementary
• Coquitlam (SD 43): $168,218 for boiler replacement at Panorama Heights Elementary
• North Vancouver (SD 44): $102,100 for boiler replacement at Larson Elementary
• West Vancouver (SD 45): $200,000 for boiler replacement at West Vancouver Secondary
• Sunshine Coast (SD 46): $200,000 for boiler replacement at Elphinstone Secondary
• Sea to Sky (SD 48): $240,000 for boiler replacement at Myrtle Phillip Community School
• Prince Rupert (SD 52): $125,000 for lighting/controls upgrade at various schools
• Prince George (SD 57): $161,000 for boiler replacement at Southridge Elementary
• Nicola-Similkameen (SD 58): $120,000 for boiler replacement at Merritt Secondary
• Greater Victoria (SD 61): $300,000 for boiler replacement at George Jay Elementary
• Sooke (SD 62): $220,000 for boiler replacement at Edward Milne Community School
• Okanagan Skaha (SD 67): $107,000 for boiler replacement at Wiltse Elementary
• Qualicum (SD 69): $250,000 for air source heat pumps at Errington Elementary
• Comox Valley (SD 71): $57,000 for domestic hot water (HW) upgrade at various schools
• Campbell River (SD 72): $58,000 for domestic hot water upgrade at Carihi Secondary
• Kamloops-Thompson (SD 73): $225,745 for boiler replacement at Raft River Elementary
• Cowichan Valley (SD 79): $50,000 for windows and insulation at Cowichan Valley Open Learning Cooperative
• Fort Nelson (SD 81): $29,690 for carbon dioxide sensors at Fort Nelson Secondary
• North Okanagan-Shuswap (SD83): $98,000 for carbon dioxide sensors at North Shuswap Elementary
• Vancouver Island West (SD 84): $30,000 for air source heat pumps at Captain Meares Elementary Secondary
• Vancouver Island North (SD 85): $150,000 for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) community connection project at North Island Secondary

Media Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963