Province Approves First Municipal Geothermal Project

Springhill has final provincial approval to open Nova Scotia's first municipal geothermal program.

Natural Resources Minister Zach Churchill signed a special lease to give the project the go-ahead.

"This is about supporting jobs and the community, while helping Springhill businesses and property owners benefit from this efficient, clean energy source," said Mr. Churchill.

Historic underground coalmine workings in Springhill contain about 49 billion litres of water.

The water is heated by geothermal energy from the Earth. The mines' depths make underground water as much as 11 C higher than normal groundwater temperatures. The water can be used to heat buildings, then returned underground to be reheated by natural processes.

"With this special lease, we can exploit a vast renewable and sustainable green energy source for the Town of Springhill and the Municipality of the County of Cumberland," said Mayor Maxwell Snow. "This program will help to develop Springhill's geothermal resource and possibly lead to creating a utility that will help all of Nova Scotia, the economy and the environment."

The province is committed to exploring alternative energy sources and reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.