Saanich says new biomass boilers coming to rec centre will cut GHG emissions by 90 per cent
The District of Saanich is planning to install a new set of biomass boilers at Saanich Commonwealth Place (SCP) to help lower its emissions.
The municipality says the biomass boilers will replace the rec centre's current natural gas boilers and will reduce the facility's greenhouse gas emissions by 90 per cent.
Biomass energy is described as a renewable form of energy that converts biofuel – such as plant and animal waste, wood or wood residues, or agriculture crop residues – into heat or electricity, according to Saanich.
In this case, the biomass boilers at SCP will use woodfibre byproducts that are created in local milling operations.
Those byproducts will then be turned into "biomass pucks" by BioFlame Briquettes Ltd. in Chemainus, B.C.
"This major project is another important and positive step in our journey to reduce our corporate carbon footprint and meet our goal of becoming a 100 per cent renewable community," said Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes.
"The new heating system will use a locally sourced renewable biomass fuel which will reduce costs, increase efficiency and support our local economy and climate goals," he said.
The installation of the new biomass boilers is scheduled to begin in September and wrap up in fall 2023.
The municipality says that construction will generally take place between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., with the majority of exterior construction noise scheduled for Sept. 6 to Oct. 10.
The district adds that SCP will be closed from Sept. 5 to Oct. 10 due to general construction, such as maintenance, pool re-tiling, light upgrading and plumbing repairs.
The new biomass boilers are being funded through a $4-million federal gas tax fund that Saanich received in 2018.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.