CALGARY, ALTA. — The Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) have pledged $8.7 million for energy efficient projects in Alberta through the Green Municipal Fund (GMF).
Calgary plans to use the funds to test track switch heaters with a snow detection system and rail thermostats to decrease energy needs for the Calgary Transit light rail transit system.
The city will also use the support to pilot electric and hybrid waste collection trucks. The city will purchase one Class 7 or Class 8 hybrid refuse truck, and one Class 7 or Class 8 battery-electric refuse truck and test them for one year. Officials added the project will also help determine if electric or hybrid vehicles could replace the city’s fleet of other heavy-duty city vehicles, like dump trucks and plows for snow clearing.
The funds will also flow to Edmonton, where they will be used to carry out a feasibility study on integrating Low Impact Development and recycled stormwater use into the Edmonton Energy and Technology Park (EETP) Stormwater Plan. The EETP offers over 4,800 hectares of development greenfield for general industrial, manufacturing, logistics and related support use.
The study will attempt to solve previous development obstacles by including all stakeholders and community interests. The project goal is to reduce erosion on Horsehills Creek by minimizing stormwater run-off and improve the quality of water entering the North Saskatchewan River south of the site.
The Town of Slave Lake will use the funding to upgrade its sewage treatment system by rehabilitating the existing aeration cells, air distribution and air delivery systems, as well as by adding a new Submerged Attached Growth Reactor (SAGR) for post-lagoon ammonia treatment. SAGRs consist of a clean stone bed that is fully aerated to prevent ice from forming in winter.
The upgrades will help the town meet Alberta wastewater treatment standards. Officials noted that Canada only has a handful of SAGR systems currently in use so the project could also provide valuable insight for other jurisdictions.
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