Feds kick in $1.5M for U of S power revamp

The University of Saskatchewan is looking to take a bite out of its power and heating bill.

Liberal MP Ralph Goodale was at the school Wednesday to announce a $1.5-million federal contribution towards a program aimed at improving energy efficiency on campus.

In his remarks, Goodale noted climate change was already costing Saskatchewan millions, as flooding, drought and wildfires have become more intense.

“By supporting innovative projects like the University of Saskatchewan’s, we can lower emissions, lowering many of those costs, and grow our economy at the same time,” he said.

The federal money comes out of the previously announced Low Carbon Economy Fund, a program that awards grants to projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The money for the U of S is the second grant issued in Saskatchewan under the program, with the first awarded last month to the City of Regina for a program to expand methane gas collection and power generation at its landfill.

Goodale said a total of about $60 million would be flowing into the province from the fund.

“(It’s) all intended to help people become more energy efficient, to conserve energy with the two big gains: Fewer greenhouse gasses and less expense because their operating costs will go down,” Goodale said.

Bill Hale, the U of S manager of facilities, sustainability and engineering, said the money from Ottawa would form part of $3.5 million to be spent looking at ways to improve the heating, ventilation and power systems at 26 buildings on campus.

“There’s a lot of opportunity there; in fact, this just scratches the surface of the opportunity,” he said, noting the U of S currently pays between $15 million and $20 million a year in heat and electricity costs.

Hale said the work was expected to be complete by 2022 and was projected to save the school just under $650,000 per year.