NANAIMO – New Democrat MLAs Sheila Malcolmson and Doug Routley say people will benefit from new projects in Crofton and Nanaimo that will invest in clean technology, reduce climate pollution and support local jobs.
We need all hands on deck for the climate crisis, so we are working with partners to switch to cleaner technologies, in Nanaimo and across B.C.,” said Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo. “By investing in these projects to reduce emissions, we are accelerating B.C.’s transition to a low-carbon economy.”
Catalyst Paper Crofton Division is receiving $5.85 million to reduce steam use by improving the efficiency of black liquor evaporation process and in turn, reduce natural gas use in the onsite steam boilers. The project is expected to reduce over 289,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.
Nearby, Nanaimo Forest Products is receiving $12,074,540 to install processing, control, and dust collection upgrades to their biomass boiler system to lower natural gas consumption. This project is expected to reduce 296,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. They are also receiving $616,783 to install upgrades to their largest pulp dryer and building heating/ventilation systems to recover waste heat and lower natural gas consumption. This project is expected to reduce an additional 22,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.
“After the extreme weather we have seen in the past year, it’s more clear than ever that we need to focus on addressing climate change,” said Doug Routley MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan. “I am grateful for the leadership that local industry partners like Catalyst Paper and Nanaimo Forest Products have shown in addressing climate change while continuing to provide good paying, family supporting jobs in our community. As part of CleanBC, our government is committed to working with industry to transition operations so that workers are not displaced in the process and the funding announced today reflects this commitment.”
As part of the CleanBC Industry Fund’s third round of investment, the BC NDP government has announced 25 successful projects that will support the adoption of cleaner technologies and reduce emissions in sectors like pulp and paper, mining, oil and gas and others. The CleanBC projects are supported by more than $70 million in carbon tax revenues paid by industry.
The CleanBC Industry Fund is one part of the Province’s plan to reduce emissions from industry, which includes aiming to eliminate all industrial methane by 2035, integrating emissions goals in the oil and gas royalty system, supporting electrification through BC Hydro, and making all new industrial developments ‘net-zero ready.’
The fund is an important part of the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030, which is B.C.’s plan to expand and accelerate climate action by building on the province’s natural advantages – abundant, clean electricity, innovative technology and a highly skilled workforce.
Learn more: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022ENV0004-000139