May 12, 2010
NRD and Parksville Receive Funding for Planning

NANAIMO – Nanaimo Regional District and the City of Parksville will receive $27,500 to develop plans for local infrastructure under the Infrastructure Planning Grant Program.

“All of the studies are vital steps to ensuring our communities continue to innovate their green energy practices and commit to carbon neutrality,” says Parksville-Qualicum MLA Ron Cantelon. “Great work is being done here and I look forward to the outcomes of the research.” 

Infrastructure Planning Grants:

• $10,000 Nanaimo Regional District, Joint Tri-Regional Waste-to-Energy Viability Study
• This project will evaluate the feasibility of a joint energy facility for the Cowichan Valley Regional District, the Regional District of Nanaimo and the Capital Regional District. It will compare costs of a central facility for Southern Vancouver Island with the current disposal costs. The study will also look at the greenhouse gas impacts.
• $10,000 Nanaimo Regional District, Evaluation of Anerobic Digesters, French Creek Pollution Control Centre
• This project will investigate the benefits and costs of treating wastewater at the French Creek Pollution Control Centre using anaerobic digesters. This process would create a gas that may be contained and used for energy needs and provide the opportunity to reduce operating costs.
• $7,500 Parksville, Geo-Exchange Municipal District Heating Utility Study
• This project will study the potential for a district heating system that will reduce greenhouse gases and energy consumption while creating a revenue stream to the City.

The Infrastructure Planning Grant Program provides grants of up to $10,000 to help local governments plan, design and manage infrastructure. The grants support projects that improve infrastructure sustainability, such as long-term comprehensive plans and studies that assess the economic and environmental feasibility of proposed water, sewer, drainage and transportation infrastructure.

In past years, these grants have often led to supporting applications for capital infrastructure projects that have been submitted to programs such as Towns for Tomorrow and the Building Canada Fund – Communities Component.

For more information about Ron and the Parksville-Qualicum constituency, visit www.roncantelonmla.bc.ca.

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