Environment minister praises Town's efforts
Oct 03, 2008 - 02:59 PM
By Keith Gilligan
AJAX -- One of the ironies of the new Ajax fire hall is federal gas tax money was used to make the building more environmentally friendly.
Among the dignitaries on hand last week for the ribbon cutting to officially open the new hall were Ontario environment minister John Gerretsen and Peter Love, the chief energy conservation officer for the province.
The building, at the southwest corner of Salem and Rossland roads, has a LEED (Leaders in Energy and Environmental Design) designation. Among the features are a green roof, geo-thermal heating and underground water cisterns to collect storm water run-off.
The green features will save about 112.5 tonnes of greenhouse gases each year, the equivalent of removing 23 cars from the road annually, or 1,150 over the 50-year life span of the building.
Total annual energy savings are more than $23,300.
The building cost $12 million, with $1.4 million for the LEED components coming from the federal gas tax, Mayor Steve Parish said to the approximately 100 people attending the opening ceremony.
About 35 per cent of greenhouse gases come from buildings, Mayor Parish said.
"Anything we can do will make a real impact into the matter," he said.
The Town is hoping to earn a gold level LEED certification, he said, adding that would make it the first in Ontario.
"This building was made possible by the federal government," he said, adding, "municipalities are so involved in so many things that affect the environment, such as water, sewers and planning.
"It's so important that senior levels of government recognize that and have the wisdom and foresight to see that," he said.
The green roof and geo-thermal heating are "small little efforts of and by themselves may not look like much, but in the long run, they benefit us," Mr. Gerretsen said.
"Climate change is here. The debate is over," he said. "One-third of greenhouse gases are generated by buildings. The more we can become realistic and deal with that, the more we can deal with greenhouse gases."
LEED buildings have longer lifespans than traditional buildings, he said. "The energy savings will reach into the millions of dollars in years."
Using LEED technology "doesn't mean radical change," he said. "Other municipalities will see what you've accomplished here. The private sector will see what you've accomplished here. You are doing the right thing. You are setting an example not only for yourselves, but for the community at large."
The Province has the "most aggressive targets for conservation around the world that I'm aware of," Mr. Love said.
One of the difficulties, he said, is that "conservation is invisible" and anyone driving by the building wouldn't know about the energy savings.
"I ask you to help with three things. Think about energy and about conservation," Mr. Love said. "Believe that when you do something, it does make a difference. Every kilowatt counts."
Finally, "act. We do need leaders," he said. "One more thing. I want you to be noisy. Tell your neighbours, your friends, the people at work about this building. It's a special building."
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