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Revelstoke District Energy System funding acknowledged

Dignitaries gathered last week to mark the completion of phase three of the Revelstoke District Energy System.
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From left: Revelstoke Community Energy Corporation president Dr. Geoff Battersby

Dignitaries gathered last week to mark the completion of phase three of the Revelstoke District Energy System. The event included Kootenay-Columbia MP David Wilks, Federation of Canadian Municipalities director and City of Nelson mayor John Dooley, City of Revelstoke mayor David Raven and Revelstoke Community Energy Corporation president Dr. Geoff Battersby. They noted the FCM’s contribution of $473,500 to the latest phase of the district energy system, which added St. Francis Catholic Church, Revelstoke City Hall, the Revelstoke Federal Building (which houses Parks Canada and Canada Post), and the Col River Manor to the energy system in 2010. Mayor David Raven thanked the FCM for their partnership: “It anticipates our commitment and the federal government’s commitment to a greener economy, greener community – something that we really needed in Revelstoke to move forward with our community goals and our official community plan.” FCM director Dooley said the funding was drawn from the Green Municipal Fund. “It’s about environmental stewardship and it’s about leaving a better environment for our children and our grandchildren.” Dooley added the FCM is committed, “to creating opportunity for communities and employment within these communities,” he said. “These projects are new, they’re innovative, they’re new ideas and they’re an opportunity for communities to learn and experience how these particular types of projects work.”

MP David Wilks said the federal government had provided a $500 million endowment through a partnership with the FCM. “There is a lot of money available – it is a matter of applying,” Wilks said, adding he looked forward to future projects.

Revelstoke Community Energy Corporation president Dr. Geoff Battersby outlined the history of the project, saying the FCM had been instrumental in helping champion this innovative work. Mayor Raven thanked Battersby and the late David Johnston for their work on the project. “Without the dedication and the leadership of those two gentlemen, I don’t think that we’d be in the position we are today.” Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Times Review