The province has accepted two proposals to supply biomass-based heat for five public buildings in Prince Edward Island, says Environment, Energy and Forestry Minister Richard Brown.

“Government is committed to creating opportunities to replace fossil fuels with renewable and domestically produced alternatives,” said Minister Brown. “The expansion of biomass heat will create significant environmental benefits while strengthening our economy and our rural communities.”

Atlantic Bioheat will supply biomass-based heat to M.E. Callaghan and Hernewood Junior High Schools. Three Oaks High School, Bluefield High School and the O’Leary Community Hospital will be supplied with biomass-derived heat from Wood4heating.

“By replacing five existing heating systems with biomass-based heat, we are reducing our carbon footprint and improving our environment,” said Minister Ron MacKinley. “We expect to save money in the long run while using renewable fuels readily available on Prince Edward Island.”

Forest feedstock used to produce biomass heat must be harvested in a sustainable manner from woodlots with a registered forest management plan. Forestry products used to produce biomass heat include firewood, wood chips and sawdust. The contractors are required to use local resources and create local expertise with biomass.

Minister Brown said government will look at a further expansion of biomass-heating projects in the future.

If we look back at when oil prices were high, we can see that about $200 million was being spent on heating with oil. This is in effect a tax on all of us. For all the money leaves the Island.

Our total energy costs are approaching our tax base.