Sackville Green Energy Project Approved

Lower Sackville will soon enjoy more benefits of generating clean, green renewable electricity in its community.

Local sawmill company HEFLER Forest Product Ltd., received approval today, Aug. 2, for a small biomass project under the Community Feed-in Tariff (COMFIT) Program. Benefits will be shared with in the local community and throughout Nova Scotia.

"This demonstrates how businesses and people in Sackville are focused on reducing their environmental footprint while creating economic opportunities," said ministerial assistant for Energy Mat Whynott, on behalf of Energy Minister Charlie Parker. "Clean, green electricity is already successfully powering homes and businesses throughout the province and this project will increase those benefits for the community of Sackville and across Nova Scotia."

The 3.1 MW project is a combined heat and power plant. An environmental impact statement has also been produced by HEFLER Forest Products Ltd.

"We look forward to developing this project right in our backyard, providing benefits for our community and the province," said Dugal Prest, general manager of Heffler Fordest Products Ltd. "COMFIT projects produce power in Nova Scotia, by Nova Scotians, and we are proud to be a part of this exciting new initiative."

The company's plan to secure primary forest biomass has been approved by the Department of Natural Resources.

"This project, which will see the company use sawmill residue as a fuel source, is further proof that Nova Scotians are dedicated to using cleaner, renewable energy," said Mr. Whynot.

The 2010 Renewable Electricity Plan introduced the COMFIT concept to help provide a secure supply of clean energy at stable prices, build community support for renewable energy projects and create jobs.

COMFIT offers Nova Scotians an opportunity to become leaders in renewable energy, while helping the province move away from fossil fuels and towards its legislated goal of 40 per cent renewable energy by 2020.

For more information on the program, visit www.nsrenewables.ca .