The Province has invested in the Town of New Glasgow's feasibility study of a district heating system fuelled by biomass that could provide affordable, reliable, low-carbon heat to businesses and residents.
The study is Phase 1 of the town's proposed project, which would be community-owned. Timothy Halman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced on June 25, a $184,000 contribution from the Province.
"Clean district heating systems are a proven, practical step toward decarbonizing our communities and reducing emissions while putting people at the centre of their energy future," said Minister Halman. "New Glasgow's vision has the potential to reduce and stabilize energy costs for residents, strengthen local economic activity and improve energy security and resilience in New Glasgow. It's an important example of how Nova Scotian communities can tackle climate change while making life more affordable."
District heating systems efficiently create heat in a central plant. The heat is distributed to buildings through insulated underground pipes. Such systems eliminate the need for individual buildings to have their own furnaces, boilers or heat pumps. District heat networks can be developed at a community-wide scale, eventually connecting all homes and buildings in a town or even a city to the shared heating network.
As part of its climate plan, New Glasgow has goals to reduce emissions, improve energy affordability for citizens and make the community resilient to climate change impacts.
The provincial funding is through the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund, a grant program that helps Nova Scotians adapt to climate change and/or mitigate its impacts.
Quotes:
"The town is very excited to be involved in the development of a community-wide district heating system and connected biomass heat and power plant project. This energy initiative has the potential to dramatically transform how our community heats its homes, businesses and public buildings while supporting economic development and environmental sustainability."
Earl MacKenzie, Director of Engineering and Public Works, Town of New Glasgow
"The Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities is pleased to support the Town of New Glasgow through the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund. This project represents an innovative approach to reducing emissions while strengthening local energy infrastructure. These efforts lay the groundwork for a more sustainable, resilient and locally driven energy future for the community."
Juanita Spencer, CEO, Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities
Quick Facts:
- the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund was created in 2021 as part of the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act, a legislated commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, respond to climate change, transform how Nova Scotians produce and use energy, make homes and buildings energy efficient, and more
- eligible funding recipients are municipalities, non-profit and community organizations, post-secondary institutions and Mi'kmaw communities
- since launching, the fund has announced about $14.1 million for projects that help Nova Scotians respond to climate change
Additional Resources:
- More information on the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund is available at: https://nschallengefund.ca/
- News releases about the fund and related projects: https://news.novascotia.ca/search/all?field_topics=228
- Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act: https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/environmental%20goals%20and%20climate%20change%20reduction.pdf
- Our Climate, Our Future: Nova Scotia's Climate Change Plan for Clean Growth: https://climatechange.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/ns-climate-change-plan.pdf
- Powering the Transition: Nova Scotia 2025 Climate Change Risk Assessment: https://climatechange.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/climate-change-risk--assessment-2025.pdf
