Government of Canada committed to modernizing heating and cooling plants in National Capital Region

Innovating technologies will lead to significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions

OTTAWA, July 18, 2017 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions ? which includes greening its own operations and making emissions data available to the public ? in order to lower costs and leave a healthier, cleaner planet for our kids and grandkids.

On behalf of the Honourable Jim Carr, acting Minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and the Honourable Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board, today announced the modernization of 5 government-owned central heating and cooling plants in the National Capital Region. These plants will be modernized by implementing newer and more efficient technologies and exploring the use of renewable sources of energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Energy Services Acquisition Program will help lower emissions by 60%, the equivalent of taking 21,000 cars off the road.

The program is part of a $2.1 billion commitment over five years announced in Budget 2016 to reduce emissions and improve the greening of government operations. These investments bring multiple benefits, including lowering costs, addressing climate change and reducing air pollution.

This summer, the Government of Canada plans to award 2 contracts to conduct initial testing of carbon-neutral fuels through 2 pilot projects at the Confederation Heights Central Heating and Cooling Plant located on Heron Road, in Ottawa, Ontario.

Quotes

"The rehabilitation of the Government of Canada's heating and cooling plants in the National Capital Region presents an incredible opportunity to invest in and benefit from green technology. By modernizing our plants, we are showing our commitment to being leaders in protecting the environment and strengthening our economy."

Steven MacKinnon
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement

"Our government knows that we can protect the environment and decrease costs. We are proud to be taking a leadership role in reducing our emissions by greening our operations and pursuing low-carbon approaches wherever possible. This action will help us achieve our Federal Sustainable Development Strategy target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from federal government buildings and fleets by 40% below 2005 levels by 2030."

The Honourable Catherine McKenna
Minister of Environment and Climate Change

"Our government is determined to reduce Canada's greenhouse gas emissions, and to inform Canadians as we do so, step by step. Openness and transparency are key to getting results as we pursue lower emissions."

The Honourable Scott Brison
President of the Treasury Board

Quick Facts

• This reduction marks a positive trajectory in the government's commitment to decrease its emissions by 40% by 2030, or earlier.
• In addition, for the first time, Canadians have single-window access to tracking information about the government's greenhouse gas emissions on the Government of Canada Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory page.
• A partial inventory of federal emissions has been published online, which will grow into a comprehensive look at the government's environmental footprint moving forward.
• The data released so far shows that the 15 departments and agencies currently contributing to the greenhouse gas emissions reduction target in the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy for 2016 to 2019 have already collectively reduced their emissions by 19%.

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SOURCE Public Services and Procurement Canada