Environment and Conservation
March 6, 2008

Government Buildings to Become More Environmentally Friendly

The Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation, announced today that approximately $2.3 million will be spent to improve efficiency standards and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at various Provincial Government buildings that are currently undergoing various phases of construction. These include the long-term care facility, law courts and supervised care bungalows in Corner Brook; the long-term care facility in Clarenville; the Carbonear General Hospital; the medical clinic in Grand Bank; and the Dr. Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital in St. Anthony.

"The Provincial Government is committed to ensuring that, where possible, all new government and government-funded buildings, as well as any major renovations that take place in existing buildings, are 25 per cent more energy efficient," said Minister Johnson. "These buildings will serve as models for other government and private sector projects in the future, particularly as we explore the retrofit of existing Provincial Government buildings in the future.  They will be monitored to confirm energy and greenhouse gas reductions."

The major component in the design and retrofit of these buildings that will help achieve energy efficiency is the ground source heat pump that will be used. This type of heating system will help the buildings perform at 40 per cent or better than the Model National Energy Code. Other energy efficient features will typically include increased insulation, heat recovery ventilators, fans and energy efficient lighting systems with sensors.

As part of its EcoAction Trust Fund, the Government of Canada provided $23 million over three years to the province to initiate technology or energy efficiency projects that provide real reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Funding was allocated to each of the provinces based on population.

To support future initiatives under this program, the minister also announced that proposals to help achieve reductions in greenhouse gases are invited. "We invite environmental groups, businesses and the public to submit innovative proposals that have broad applications for achieving GHG reductions. We encourage creativity in these proposals, as long as the objective of reducing GHGs is demonstrated in the submission."

For more information on submitting proposals, or to obtain an application form, go to //www.gov.nl.ca/env/Eco/application.pdf or call 709-729-0076.

- 30 -

Media contact:
Melony O�Neill
Director of Communications (Acting)
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-2575, 689-0928
moneill@gov.nl.ca

2008 03 06                                                         9:55 a.m.


SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement