BIO PROJECTS REDUCE GREENHOUSE GASES AND COSTS

Dartmouth, N.S. -- The Honourable Robert G. Thibault, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced a $6.1 million construction project at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography (BIO). The project will save heating and cooling costs at the federal facility and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 900,000 kg each year.

This project is one of the early steps in a broader rejuvenation initiative at BIO, Canada's largest oceanographic research facility, stated Minister Thibault. A number of projects have already started, and more are being proposed, to revitalize the buildings and infrastructure, he added.

The cooling project involves the construction of a state-of-the-art cooling plant. The cooling plant will use cold water from the depths of the Bedford Basin. This will reduce the use of traditional chillers that are powered by non-renewable energy sources. Reduction in greenhouse emissions is estimated to be about 400,000 kg per year over traditional cooling systems.

In keeping with the federal government's sustainable development initiatives, other features have been incorporated in the design of the cooling plant to take advantage of the benefits of solar energy.

The heating project will see the existing steam-heating system replaced with a hydronic (hot water) heating system throughout BIO. The new heating system will reduce fuel costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 500,000 kg each year when compared to the current heating system.

This project is in line with the Government of Canada's announcement concerning new steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout Canada in its $500 million Action Plan 2000, released in October 2000.

Located on the shores of Bedford Basin in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, BIO celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2002. Scientists and support staff from five federal departments are located at BIO.

FOR MORE INFORMATION :

Mark Chin-Yee
Senior Site Leader
Real Property and Assets Management
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
BIO
Maritimes Region
(902) 426-1616
ChinyeeM@mar.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Carl Myers
Communications Manager
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
BIO
Maritimes Region
(902) 426-9318
MyersCW@mar.dfo-mpo.gc.ca