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Environment and Conservation
November 10, 2009

Wind Turbines Fuel Environmental Awareness

The Brother Brennan Environmental Education Centre now boasts two new wind turbines to power its teaching facility near Deer Park. With assistance of $192,000 from the Newfoundland and Labrador Green Fund, turbines were installed which generate six kilowatts of power and replace the diesel electricity generation formerly used at the site. The project was officially launched today at an event at the centre.

�This centre provides an exceptional public service with the environmental educational programs offered for youth in the province,� said the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation. �By replacing the diesel generator with a wind turbine system, the Brother Brennan Environmental Education Centre is both reducing greenhouse gases and demonstrating environmental leadership to the young people who use this facility every year. It is leading by example at its finest.�

The wind powered energy system eliminates the need for diesel fuel, thereby reducing the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for the centre. In 2007, approximately 7,000 litres of diesel was consumed which represents about 20 tonnes of GHGs. The turbines also eliminate the noise and other air pollution that is associated with diesel generation.

�It is important for students to experience an energy model like this one, learn from it, and be able to emulate it in their future undertakings,� said the Honourable Felix Collins, MHA for Placentia-St. Mary�s. �The main objective of this centre is to educate students on sound environmental practices, and it is fitting that these environmentally friendly turbines are now the main energy source on which the facility operates.�

Governed by a board of directors known as the Environmental Education Commission, the centre is a volunteer based, non-profit centre which provides environmental education opportunities to school children in partnership with the Eastern School Board. Each year, approximately 2,000 students participate in programs designed to develop environmental awareness and enhance personal and social responsibilities for environmental action.

�The project allows the centre to use a more sustainable energy source, and sustainability is at the forefront of all of our environmental teaching,� said Vince McDonald, secretary/treasurer of the Environmental Education Commission. �The money from the Newfoundland and Labrador Green Fund was instrumental in helping us install the turbines, and they show students how this clean energy source can help us achieve so many of the goals to which we aspire at the centre.�

The Newfoundland and Labrador Green Fund is a three-year, $25 million program which is supported by both the Federal and Provincial Governments. This funding is to support projects geared toward environmental sustainability and which provide real reductions in GHG emissions.

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Media contacts:

Melony O�Neill
Director of Communications
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-2575, 689-0928
moneill@gov.nl.ca
Marg Craniford
Constituency Assistant
Hon. Felix Collins, MHA Placentia-St. Mary�s
709-729-6926
margcraniford@gov.nl.ca 
 
Vincent McDonald
Secretary/Treasurer
Environmental Education Commission
709-753-1106
vincemc@nf.aibn.ca
 

2009 11 10                                                    3:10 p.m.
 


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