City's green initiatives place Nanaimo as a top BC energy saver

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed October 30, 2019 3:45 PM

Summary

At the FortisBC Efficiency in Action Awards on Wednesday, October 30, the City of Nanaimo received the Public Sector - Municipal award for work done in lowering energy use and greenhouse gas emissions at Nanaimo's facilities.

Some of the most effective, sustainable choices that the City has put into play at our arenas and pools are quietly reducing our impact on the environment while saving on operating costs.

With facilities the size of Beban Park, keeping them comfortably warm uses a lot of energy, as does heating water for ice resurfacing. The FortisBC Efficiency in Action Award recognizes the new high-efficiency boilers at Beban Pool, which now heat our Beban Park facilities using less energy, and the RealIce technology installed at Frank Crane and Cliff McNabb arenas, which allow for ice resurfacing with cool water rather than hot. FortisBC has supported these upgrades through its rebate programs, contributing just over $140,000 towards the projects.

The estimated annual natural gas savings at these facilities is more than 3,800 gigajoules per year, or the equivalent of removing approximately 50 gasoline-powered cars off the road for a year.

Link to Strategic Plan: Environmental Responsibility is one of Council's key pillars in the City's Strategic Plan, and energy management is a crucial step in lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

Key Points

The City of Nanaimo has won the FortisBC Efficiency in Action Award for Public Sector - Municipal for the City's energy-saving upgrades at Beban Park Pool, Frank Crane and Cliff McNabb arenas.
The estimated combined annual natural gas savings from the Beban Park upgrades and the Frank Crane and Cliff McNabb arena upgrades is more than 3,800 gigajoules per year.

Quotes

"We are in a state of climate emergency, and sustainable choices throughout the City support Council's dedication to being environmentally responsible. It's great for the work of staff to be recognized and supported by FortisBC, and we hope this success inspires other communities towards sustainable change."

Leonard Krog

Mayor

City of Nanaimo

"Energy efficiency remains one of the most effective and affordable ways to reduce emissions, and the year-over-year efforts of organizations like the City of Nanaimo represent some of the best work we’re seeing in this area. Their work exemplifies the long-term planning, ongoing investment and innovative strategies necessary to make places like ice arenas more sustainable. We’re pleased to highlight their work through these awards."

Danielle Wensink

Director, Energy Management & Conservation

FortisBC

Quick Facts

REALice is an alternative ice-making technology that uses cool water rather than hot water to resurface the ice without compromising quality. The estimated savings at Frank Crane arena is 414 GJ/year. At Cliff McNabb arena, those savings are estimated at 348 GJ/year.
At Beban Park, the heating plant upgrade to new and efficient boilers realizes a savings 3,083 GJ/year.

Images

Group photo with award

City of Nanaimo receives the FortisBC Efficiency in Action Award (Public Sector - Municipal)

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Contact:

Emil Bock

Acting Manager of Infrastructure Planning and Energy

City of Nanaimo

250-755-7528

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