IF you go for a dip in the Karen Magnussen Recreation Centre wave pool this time next year, it'll be local green waste that's heating the water.
Minister of State for Transport Steven Fletcher joined local dignitaries Wednesday to announce $632,000 in funding from the federal gas tax to swap out the centre's old natural gas boilers with a wood-fired system, fed entirely by green clippings from around the District of North Vancouver.
The goal is to drastically cut down on greenhouse gas emissions while saving the district some serious green.
"Our official community plan, which we passed and implemented two years ago, has very, very clear statements about reducing our carbon footprint. It does certainly make sense," said district Mayor Richard Walton. "The amount of available energy around, which up until the last couple years has only been regarded as waste, is quite extraordinary."
Once the system is up and running, it should reduce the 500 tonnes of carbon dioxide the existing system belches into the atmosphere every year by 60 to 70 per cent, according to Steve Jenkins, the district's energy project manager.
"Rec centres and swimming pools, especially, are the biggest consumers of natural gas which is quite a large contributor to the greenhouse gas emissions for each municipality," Jenkins said.
Burning wood is considered carbon neutral because the carbon sequestered in trees is released naturally as a tree dies and rots, and unlike gas, wood is a renewable resource.
The district had been paying $12,000 to $15,000 a year to have the wood waste from the district parks and streets disposed of. The district's gas bill will also go down substantially.
"We really buffer ourselves against a price spike in natural gas in the coming years. Wood chips, we get paid to take. We're saving ourselves money," Jenkins said.
The wood-fired boiler will use about 800 dry tonnes of wood waste a year, all of which should come from the North Shore.
"Locally produced, locally consumed is the theme," Jenkins said.
North Vancouver MP Andrew Saxton was at the event to tout his government's commitment to infrastructure and green energy. "It is a good example of how our government is investing in sustainable energy sources that help to meet our energy needs while protecting the environment," he said in an accompanying press release.
