The government of Canada is continuing to invest in projects that make a significant impact in greenhouse gas reductions and tackle climate change. Regina, the capital city of Saskatchewan, is working towards a greener province through their Landfill Gas to Energy Project. This landfill gas collection system collects methane emitted by the landfill and reduces air pollution by stopping the greenhouse gases from being released into the air. Regina has recently received climate change funding to support the continuation and development of this initiative.
The City of Regina has received nearly $1,300,000 in funding from the Low Carbon Economy Challenge’s Champions stream.
Provided through the Low Carbon Economy Fund, the Low Carbon Economy Challenge was a Canadian government funding program intended to support strategic projects that lead to the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. One of the streams included in this challenge was the Champions stream, to which provinces, territories, and regional and municipal governments were eligible to apply.
Low Carbon Economy Challenge: $1.3M Supports GHG Reduction
Saskatchewan has experienced the harsh realities of climate change, such as an increase of damaging weather cycles, including wildfires, floods, and droughts. The resulting damages have cost hundreds of millions of dollars in the last few years alone. To help address these negative impacts, the Low Carbon Economy Challenge Champions stream was designed to work with Canadian cities and towns to improve the overall health of residents and reduce pollution, while targeting the effects of climate change.
One of the projects that received funding via the Low Carbon Economy Challenge was the expansion of the City of Regina’s landfill gas collection system, which received $1.3M.
The expansion of their already successful collection system will include up to 30 new gas wells and related equipment and infrastructure. This project will increase the collection and combustion of methane gas, resulting in a greenhouse gas reduction of up to 30 per cent, as well as the lessening of odours. The overall impact will be a significant progression in protecting the environment and supporting a greener future.
About the Low Carbon Economy Challenge
A component of the Low Carbon Economy Fund, the Low Carbon Economy Challenge was open to provinces and territories to help fund projects that generated environmentally friendly growth and greenhouse gas reduction. The Challenge provided funding via two streams: the Champions stream and the Partnerships stream.
Applicants could receive up to 25% of eligible expenses (businesses) or up to 40% of eligible expenses (non-profits and regional/municipal governments) to a maximum $10-$50 million per project.
The projects were to focus on GHG mitigation such as: industrial projects, waste, building energy efficiency, fuel switching, forestry, transportation, agriculture, low-emissions fuel production, electricity, and/or energy production.
The deadlines for both the Champions stream and the Partnership steam are now closed and it is anticipated that all the funding from those two streams will be allocated. Applicants interested in applying for programs similar to the Low Carbon Economy Challenge are encouraged to look at the Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program.
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