The Prince George Law Courts and Plaza 400 will soon be connected to Prince George’s Downtown Renewable Energy System (DRES), a hot-water utility that produces thermal energy using sawmill residue from Lakeland Mills Ltd., reducing greenhouse gases and reliance on non-renewable fossil fuels.

The gas boilers in the two provincially operated buildings need replacing. A connection to the DRES will reduce capital and operational costs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 480 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year.

A project map and sample piping were today unveiled at the International Bioenergy Conference & Exhibition.

District energy is a proven technology that is in use in communities around the world. The Prince George system produces hot water that is piped to nine local buildings for space heating and domestic hot water. The cumulative reductions in greenhouse gas emissions for the system are estimated at 1,820 tonnes per year.

Construction is expected to begin the last week of July and be complete by early fall. At select times through the summer, traffic will be affected at:

• Second Ave. and George St.;
• Fifth Ave. and George St.;
• one block of Fifth Ave. between George St. and Queensway; and
• the intersection of Fifth Ave. and Queensway.

The two project sites are:  

• Prince George Law Courts – 250 George St.
• Plaza 400 – 1011 Fourth Ave.

Quotes:

John Martin, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations –

“Projects like the Prince George Downtown Renewable Energy System do more than just heat the province’s buildings. The DRES improves the city’s carbon footprint, results in cleaner and more efficient heating, and allows the province to participate in progressive and innovative energy solutions – all of which benefit the people of Prince George and the environment.”

Shirley Bond, MLA for Prince George-Valemount –

“B.C. has long been recognized as a world leader in the fight against climate change and the province will benefit from Prince George’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the connection of these two provincial buildings to the city’s green heating system.”

Mike Morris, MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie –

“The heating systems in both of these buildings need replacement and the opportunity to connect to the city’s system makes good sense from an environmental perspective and with cost-savings of approximately $139,000 a year for both buildings.”

Lyn Hall, mayor, Prince George –

“I am delighted that we are expanding our downtown energy system and strengthening our position as a leader in environmental technology. It is especially appropriate that we are announcing this development during the International Bioenergy Conference and Exhibition, one of Canada’s largest renewable energy conferences, because it is a great example of cooperation between governments and the local forest industry.” 

Quick Facts:

• Project costs, estimated at $450,000, are being funded by the Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services’ capital budget. The City of Prince George will install the piping systems to the buildings, at a cost of approximately $200,000.
• Prince George’s energy system was built in 2012 and connects nine buildings throughout the downtown, including the City Hall, Civic Centre, Coliseum, the Four Seasons Pool, the Wood Innovation and Design Centre, and the new RCMP detachment.
• Clean technology is a developing subsector that crosses over into many traditional industries and is part of B.C.’s recently released #BCTECH Strategy.

Learn More:

The Prince George District Energy System: http://princegeorge.ca/cityservices/utilities/DistrictEnergy/pages/default.aspx

Lakeland Mills Ltd.: http://www.sinclar.com/lakelandmills/

#BCTECH Strategy: www.bctechstrategy.ca