(ST. JOHN’S, NL) – The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA), through funding from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and partnership with Fundamental Inc., has helped Baie Verte, Bauline, Channel-Port aux Basques, Paradise, Stephenville, and Torbay pursue clean growth projects in pursuit of a greener future.

The program brought the participating municipalities through a three-step process, with the guidance of Fundamental Inc. First municipalities measured their contribution to climate change by quantifying the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from their operations. Second, the municipalities developed an action plan to mitigate their contribution to climate change. Finally, projects were undertaken in each municipality to kick off their climate action plans:

• In Baie Verte a 12.32kW solar PV array was installed at the Town’s Fire Hall in October utilizing the province’s net metering program;
• In Bauline a 15.4kW solar PV array was installed at the Town’s Community Centre and Town Hall in October utilizing the province’s net metering program;
• In Channel-Port Aux Basques a roof retrofit for the Town’s Public Works building will take place to increase energy efficiency, and soil testing is being undertaken at a potential brownfield re-development to understand the feasibility of using innovative bioremediation techniques;
• In Paradise solar street lamps will be installed for the recreation area and parking lot adjacent to the Paradise Double Ice Complex which also serves as the Town’s emergency warming station;
• In Stephenville a community-scale industrial composter has been purchased to facilitate composting within the Town; and
• In Torbay a 13.86kW solar PV array was installed at the Town Hall in October utilizing the province’s net metering program.

As participants in the program, the six municipalities have undertaken commitments to emissions reductions through peer learning, strategic planning and operational implementation, while leveraging lessons learned from communities across Canada facing similar challenges.