News Release
HRM Hosting 2nd Energy and Environment Roundtable
(Wednesday, February 16/05)-- Community energy planning and the benefits of district energy systems will be the focus of Halifax Regional Municipality’s second Roundtable on Energy and the Environment later this week.
More than 100 delegates are expected to attend the one-day session at the World Trade Convention Centre, which will bring together decision-makers from various government agencies, utilities, private consultants, environmental advocacy groups, and stakeholders who would be potential customers of a district energy system.
Mayor Peter Kelly says “The Roundtable is very timely, given that the Kyoto Protocol officially came into force this week. A district energy system of the type envisioned in HRM’s submission to NR Canada, would see greenhouse gas emission(GHG) reductions in the order of 250,000 to 350,000 metric tonnes per year. Establishing a district energy system in HRM would support the intent of the Kyoto Accord.”
Councillor Sue Uteck says “The Energy and Underground Services Subcommittee of Council is very pleased that HRM has been able to arrange for speakers representing district energy systems that are operating successfully in other areas of Canada .”
The municipality is partnering on the conference with a number of public and private organizations, including Natural Resources (NR) Canada, Environment Canada, the Nova Scotia Department of Energy, Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, the Nova Scotia Office of Economic Development and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA.)
HRM is a member of the federal Partners for Climate Protection Program and has a number of major initiatives underway, such as Greenhouse Gas Inventories; Reduction Targets; Local Action Plan; Implementation Plan; and Monitoring.
–30--
Mayor Peter Kelly
(902) 490-4010
Councillor Sue Uteck
(902) 221-7651
Cathie O’Toole
Environmental Management Services s
(902) 490-7061
Stephen King
Environmental Management Service
(902) 490-6188
*******************************************************************
2nd HRM Energy and Environment Roundtable
Friday, February 18, 2005
World Trade and Convention Centre
Speakers: Richard Damecour, Vice President, FVB Energy
Veronica Friesen, Manager of Windsor District Energy
Dave Godkin, President, PEI Energy Systems
Ken Church, Natural Resources Canada
9:00 – 9:15 Welcome & overview of 1st Energy & Environment Roundtable
9:15 – 10:00 Ken Church, Natural Resources Canada
Community Energy Planning
10:00 – 10:30 Veronica Friesen, Manager of Windsor District Energy
Overview of the Windsor system
Financial Benefits to Customers
10:45 – 11:15 Richard Damecour
Operational Benefits to Customers
11:30 – 12:00 Open discussion – questions for morning speakers?
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch (Media Invited)
1:00 – 1:30 Dave Godkin, PEI Energy Systems
Overview of PEI system
Challenges of signing customers
1:30 – 1:45 Questions /Answers
1:45 – 2:30 HRM - Overview of Community Energy Project (15 minutes)
NSPI – Perspective on Co-gen/district energy opportunities in N.S.
Heritage Gas – Perspective on roll out of natural gas to Halifax
2:45 – 3:15 Open discussion questions for HRM, NSPI, Heritage Gas
3:15 – 4:15 Group Work – Questions to think about
o What are the co-benefits of a Community Energy system in Halifax?
o What should a CE project/system look like in Halifax?
o What benefits are necessary to sign on customers?
(30 minutes to work together, and 30 minutes for discussion)
4:15 – 4:30 Wrap Up
