Revelstoke Development
News - Feb. 28, 2002
| District Energy |
| The Revelstoke Community Energy Project is a combined heat and power project that
will combust the woodwaste generated by Downie Timber and other local woodwaste
generators in a manner that will bring emissions in to full compliance with provincial
standards. The thermal energy from the combustion will be captured to generate
electricity, heat Downie's dry kilns and provide hot water to a phased District Energy
system that will heat major municipal, institutional and commercial buildings.
The signing of the Electricity Purchase Agreement with BC Hydro in December 2001, guaranteed a revenue stream for 20 years and removed a major uncertainty for the project. Kattner/FVB is preparing a full business case study on the Project. Kattner is Canada's foremost source of expertise in the District Energy field and has acted on behalf of several communities in developing similar projects. These communities include Sudbury, Cornwall, Charlottetown, Markham, Hamilton, Windsor, and Ft. MacPherson. Kattner is currently doing similar projects in Prince George and Grand Prairie. The purpose in having Kattner develop the business case is to provide the City and Downie Timber with the necessary information to make a decision on whether or not to pursue the Project on their own, rather than through a third party. The intent would be to create a separate municipally owned corporation similar to Revelstoke Community Forest Corp., which does not negatively impact the City's borrowing power or expose the City to any liability. A City owned corporation has advantages over the private sector in terms of access to grants, low interest loans, and no taxation. It is anticipated that the report will be received from Kattner by late March and a public information process will follow. Geoff Battersby |