VBL to become energy self sufficient

Contributed

As the pine beetle winds down its march through the Lakes District forests, local organizations are forging ahead to find ways to use the dead and dying trees left in the wake.

The Burns Lake Energy Forum is exploring the possibility of using the fibre from these trees to create a community energy supply. The energy forum is a working group, consisting of educational organizations, public and private agencies, businesses and First Nations organizations.

It was formed in September 2009 to determine the feasibility of Burns Lake becoming a leader in community energy self-sufficiency. This group identified four goals; to develop and complete a feasibility study for an energy efficient community, short and long term; to identify projects as a result of this study; raise awareness and support of the energy plans for Burns Lake; to encourage development of alternative energy educational programs in the local college and schools and to develop and implement a silviculture strategy to sustain the fibre supply.

The Village of Burns Lake (VBL) advertised a request for information and seven responses were received with projects that use proven technologies and require a nominal amount of biomass. Mayor Bernice Magee is optimistic that a bio-energy system could help the VBL achieve their commitments to the Climate Action Charter to be carbon neutral by 2012.

"It makes sense to use local fibre, for local heating. Local jobs will be created, local resources will be used. This system will help us become energy self sufficient, and reduce our carbon emissions," Magee said.

The proposed projects are good for the local economy according to Natasha Letchford, director of corporate services for the Village of Burns Lake. "According to statistics provided by the Green Heat Initiative 70 per cent of money spent on bio-mass stays in the local community," Letchford said.

Five of the nine energy forum partners have already signed a memorandum of understanding to evaluate the economic feasibility of utilizing a community energy system and the remaining four partners are working through the signing process.

Source: http://www.bclocalnews.com/bc_north/lakesdistrictnews/news/93333444.html