The Smiths Cove Fire Department in Digby County will harness the power of the sun to meet its energy needs.
Provincial funding of more than $94,000 will help the Smiths Cove Fire Department in Digby County transition to solar energy. (Smiths Cove Fire Department)
The volunteer department has received $94,043 for a solar energy system, which is expected to meet about 97 per cent of its energy needs. The provincial funding was announced on June 11 by Jill Balser, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and MLA for Digby-Annapolis, on behalf of Timothy Halman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
"Volunteer fire departments are at the heart of so many Nova Scotia communities," said Minister Balser. "They show up for us on our hardest days, and people depend on them. This funding will help the Smiths Cove Fire Department lower their energy costs and their carbon emissions by switching to clean, reliable solar power. That means more of their resources can go toward the essential services they provide. It's a smart investment in the people who keep our communities safe and in a more sustainable future for all of us."
The switch to solar energy will save the department an estimated $400,000 to $600,000 on its energy bill over the solar panels' expected lifespan of 30 to 35 years. That is about the cost of a new fire truck today.
The department serves Smiths Cove and the surrounding area, and the fire hall acts as a shelter during extended power outages where people can go to get warm and charge their phones and other electronic devices. The hall is also a community hub for events and gatherings, hosting local theatre group rehearsals, fundraising breakfasts, community coffee hours, weddings and more.
The funding is provided from the government's Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund, a grant program which helps Nova Scotians adapt to climate change and/or mitigate its impacts. The fourth round of applications to the fund opened May 28, with priority given to projects that address drought and water shortages.
Quotes:
"This Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund funding is not only an investment in renewable energy for the Smiths Cove Fire Department but is also an investment in the future of our volunteer fire service. Reduced utility costs mean, financially, we can focus more on improving operations, upgrading equipment and ensuring we continue to provide the best version of ourselves to those who rely on us. The savings we should see in utility costs equal out to the cost of a fire truck over the estimated lifespan of the solar panels in today's dollars. We truly do appreciate government willing to back volunteer firefighters and helping us put funds where they matter, and that's into the people who serve on the front lines."
Joshua Snyder, Chief, Smiths Cove Fire Department
"The Smiths Cove Fire Department is an essential service that continues to evolve to meet community needs. This solar installation will strengthen resilience by reducing operating costs and ensuring more predictable, stable energy use. These improvements position the fire department to better serve the community while also contributing to Nova Scotia's climate goals. This project is a strong example of a volunteer-led group coming together in support of community well-being."
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 provided about $13 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
