(December 19, 2008) Penticton, British Columbia – A new federal investment of nearly $10.6 million through the Gas Tax Fund will support the upgrade of Penticton’s secondary wastewater treatment plant to an Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant. The project will employ state-of-the-art technology to capture methane to fire a micro-turbine, generating electricity to power the treatment plant. Heat energy will also be captured to heat the plant and create the potential to supply a district heating system for nearby commercial and industrial operations.
“I applaud Penticton for its efforts in delivering this innovative technology that will help deliver cleaner air and water for residents, and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway. “This Government recognizes that investments in infrastructure contribute to local economies and create new jobs.”
The project will also result in significant reductions in sludge waste, thereby reducing the amount of material requiring transportation to the composting facility. The high quality effluent water will be used to irrigate three of the largest parks in the City. The various elements of the project combine to produce significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions resulting from wastewater treatment.
“This grant will help Penticton create a leading-edge wastewater treatment plant that will benefit the entire community well into the future,” said Penticton-Okanagan Valley MLA Bill Barisoff. “The proposed upgrades will increase the efficiency of the plant while contributing to a healthier environment.”
Under the Canada-BC-UBCM Agreement on the Transfer of federal Gas Tax revenues, the Gas Tax Fund delivers infrastructure funding to local governments and other eligible recipients primarily for capital projects that lead to cleaner air, cleaner water or reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Funding is also available for planning projects that contribute to the sustainability of communities and regions.
UBCM administers the Gas Tax Fund in British Columbia in collaboration with Canada and British Columbia.
“The federal Gas Tax Fund is playing a vital role in supporting innovative technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced by local government operations,” said Union of British Columbia Municipalities President Robert Hobson. “Penticton is to be applauded for developing this project to utilize the energy potential of waste methane and thermal energy.”
It is expected that construction will begin on the project in the spring of 2009.
"This project will see the City of Penticton Advanced Water Treatment Plant upgraded to enable the City to continue to provide high level sewage treatment service to existing and future Penticton residents, including the Penticton Indian Band, for the next 20 years in a more environmentally and cost effective manner,” says City of Penticton Mayor Dan Ashton. "We are thankful for the Provincial and Federal Governments' financial support for this very important upgrade to the City's Waste Water Treatment infrastructure."
Please visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca and www.buildingcanada.gc.ca or www.civicnet.bc.ca for background information on the Canada – BC – UBCM Gas Tax Agreement.
For more information:
Chris Day
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-286-6064
Marc Black
Communications Manager
Ministry of Community Services
250-387-4089
Paul Taylor
Relationships and Communications Advisor
Union of BC Municipalities
250-356-2938
Linda Toker
Deputy City Clerk
City of Penticton
250-490-2405
Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148
