SUSTAINABLE ENERGY

Hants County businesses, industries and non-profit organizations are showing leadership when it comes to championing environmental stewardship and building sustainable communities.

Minas Basin Pulp and Power Limited, located in Hantsport was the first mill in Nova Scotia, and one of the first in Canada to be in total compliance with all Federal Pulp and Paper Effluent regulations. Having used recycled fibre in one form or another since the 1950’s, the company now uses 100 per cent recycled fibre to produce its paperboard products. These recycling efforts represent a reduction of approximately 10.8 million cubic feet of regional landfill consumption annually.

At Elmsdale Lumber in East Hants, the company is using a biomass system to reduce energy costs and make effective use of one its operational by-products. Using wood shavings produced in planing raw lumber, Elmsdale Lumber is able to produce steam heat for its planing and sawmill buildings. This process, which was initiated by the company in 1995, has saved the company time, energy, and money, and has made a positive contribution to health and safety at their Elmsdale site.

Heliotrust is a non-profit organization located in the Summerville/Hants Shore region. The organization is dedicated to preserving heritage grains, encouraging farmland conservation, conducting farmer-mentoring programs, and promoting locally produced food. Some of Heliotrust’s recent successes include the processing of heritage wheat, and the establishment of an endowment fund to create conservation easements on two farms in the Hants Shore region. Heliotrust has also archived written and video material from farm mentors, and is in the process of setting up a demonstration windmill at its headquarters in Summerville. More information on the organization can be obtained by visiting their website at www.heliotrust.ca

The Windsor-based Scotian Windfields and its joint venture partner Renewable Energy Services Limited have created a structure for community ownership in the wind energy sector, so that Nova Scotians can participate in the development of this emerging industry. Through the establishment of Community Economic Development Investment Funds (CEDIF’s) in each of the areas where Scotian Windfields is hoping to establish wind turbines, regional investors are being encouraged to invest in wind energy – and see the benefits come back to their community. To read more about public information sessions that are being hosted by the company, visit their website at www.scotianwindfields.org

Also in Windsor, a new company called Second Source Power Company is making it easier for residential consumers to invest in alternative energy and in energy efficient products. The company is located in the new Avonian Place building in downtown Windsor, and it specializes in installing residential wind and solar energy systems and generator back-up power. Before installing a residential system, Second Source representatives conduct a free energy use audit and discuss the system that is best for their customer’s needs. Contact (902) 798-3436 for more information on the company, or visit their website at www.secondsourcepower.ca