May 28, 2010
RDN Named a Solar Community

NANAIMO – The Regional District of Nanaimo has been awarded $5,000 and named a Solar Community to further develop solar hot water programs and other solar initiatives in an effort to promote clean energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote a sustainable energy future.

“Innovative and sustainable energy solutions like solar hot water will help us become energy self-sufficient, while decreasing greenhouse gas emissions,” says Parksville-Qualicum MLA Ron Cantelon. “Congratulations to the RDN for showing leadership on green energy initiatives.”

A solar hot water system can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by one to two tonnes per year for a single family home using natural gas for water heating. The increased use of solar energy technology is part of a broader sustainable energy strategy that will help the Province reach its goal of curbing greenhouse gas emissions by 33 per cent by 2020.

“These solar communities will provide leadership by their innovative deployment of solar technologies and will become role models for communities across B.C.,” says SolarBC Executive Director Nitya Harris.

Other communities selected are the city of Richmond, the corporation of Delta, the city of Campbell River, the district of Invermere, the city of Fort St. John and the city of Grand Forks. Bringing the total to 16, these communities were chosen through an RFP process and will each receive $5,000.

On July 17, 2008, the Province announced a $5-million investment in the SolarBC initiative to support six solar hot water programs, including installations on residences, local government buildings, First Nations homes, social housing, schools and the Solar Communities initiative.

SolarBC supports the proposed Clean Energy Act and the BC Energy Plan conservation and clean energy objectives. For more information on SolarBC, please visit www.solarbc.ca.

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