FREDERICTON -- The provincial government has announced $3.5 million in funding for 16 projects designed to reduce industrial greenhouse gas emissions.
"Investments such as this will ensure that New Brunswick continues to be a promoter of environmental sustainability, which we must achieve to remain positioned to be self-sufficient by 2026," Environment Minister Rick Miles said of the funding, which will reduce harmful emissions by 155,000 tons each year.
The announcement was made at Saint John's Irving Pulp and Paper mill yesterday, with J.D. Irving Ltd. undertaking four new greenhouse gas reduction projects as a result.
Jim Irving, the president of the company, said the upgrades would help lower emissions to 51 per cent below the 2006 levels.
"New Brunswickers are very fortunate to have the leadership of Efficiency New Brunswick in reducing the province's environmental footprint and energy consumption," he said.
"Today's announcement regarding four of our company's projects is part of a total $69-million investment that will realize a reduction of 160,000 tons per year at our four pulp and paper mills in New Brunswick. These investments are not only helping to secure jobs at the mills and woodlands, but they provide 120 New Brunswick suppliers with more than 280,000 person hours of work."
The company's Lake Utopia Paper facility will use biomass fuel to displace oil and natural gas in its boiler. An Efficiency New Brunswick document says the project will essentially remove the need for fossil fuel at Lake Utopia Paper and lower the cost of steam generation resulting in annual savings of $7 million.
Other companies receiving funding from the announcement include AV Group, McCain Foods Ltd., Fraser Papers Inc., Groupe Savoie Inc. and Marwood Ltd.
Elizabeth Weir, president and CEO of Efficiency NB, said the investment would help reduce the overall energy consumption of large industry.
"There are huge opportunities for industry in energy efficiency," she said.
"Because of this funding, a number of companies have been able to take action quickly to lower costs, improve productivity and reduce greenhouse gases significantly."
The involved companies will use the funds on projects that will limit heat loss, improve heat recovery and reduce electricity consumption.
The province launched the New Brunswick Climate Change Action Plan in June 2007. As a result of its initiatives, greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced in the province by 5.5 megatons annually in 2012, according to a government press release. Combined with federal initiatives, the plan will have resulted in a reduction of New Brunswick's emissions to 1990 levels in 2012.
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