Federal government supports Banff project for converting waste into biomass energy

The federal government is investing about $530,000 from its Low Carbon Economy Fund to support a project in Banff, Alta. that converts municipal waste into biomass energy.

The town will build a biomass district heating system that will see a cumulative reduction of about 6,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over the lifetime of this project. That is equivalent to removing approximatively 1,800 cars from the road for one year by replacing natural gas with sustainable wood waste to heat four municipal buildings. The $1.3-million biomass system reduces the need to haul waste to the landfill. The funding is also helping to increase the solar electricity capacity to the buildings.

The federal funding for this investment comes from the partnership stream of the Government of Canada’s Low Carbon Economy Challenge, which invests in projects that reduce carbon pollution, save money, and create good jobs.

Canada’s strengthened climate plan is reducing emissions across the country. A key part of the plan to create a cleaner and healthier future is investing in powering communities with clean energy.

“The Government of Canada is pleased to support innovative projects that reduce emissions and create good jobs,” Jonathan Wilkinson, minister of environment and climate change, said. “Today’s announcement highlights some of the important work Canadian municipalities, like Banff, are doing to lead the charge and build a cleaner, healthier future. It’s leadership and good projects like the one announced today that will help Canada exceed its 2030 Paris Agreement target and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.”

“This effort will save costs for our taxpayers, while helping protect the local natural environment that makes Banff so special,” Banff Mayor Karen Sorenson said. “Locally, this project will grow as private-sector companies join our sustainable district heating system. At the same time, with four million visitors a year to Banff National Park, we believe our small community’s big actions to fight climate change can inspire individuals, organizations and countries around the world.”