Energy Efficiency for Municipal Buildings in a Group of Francophone Municipalities in New Brunswick (PEREEB-AFMNB)

The Association francophone des municipalités du Nouveau-Brunswick (AFMNB) is planning to launch a pilot project to improve the energy efficiency of a group of municipal buildings in four municipalities, i.e., the Atholville town hall, the Caraquet municipal garage, the Rivière-Verte municipal garage, and the Saint-Léonard regional emergency centre. The objective of the initiative is to reduce heating costs, generate energy savings, reduce greenhouse gases (GHG), promote local expertise and resources and enhance job creation in the region. For this, the AFMNB plans to put various energy efficiency measures in place, measures that are adapted each building’s specific needs, and replace existing heating systems with high-efficiency biomass boilers. The project is based on recommendations set out in a feasibility study that was funded by the FCM’s Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program (MCIP 15251). Innovative Aspects The AFMNB’s initiative incorporates certain innovative aspects. Heating systems that use residual forest biomass are still not commonly used in Canada, especially in the case of small buildings such as those in the pilot project. In addition, the group of municipalities joining together to promote a common approach is noteworthy in that it means they can share the costs of the project, increase the project’s impacts, maximize its chances of success and enhance its replication potential. Replication Potential This model could generate a ripple effect on other small towns in Northern New Brunswick, as well as in the rest of Canada. It could be reproduced by Canadian municipalities where an adequate amount of residual forest or agricultural biomass is available. The model is particularly appealing for rural regions whose economies are tied to the forest or agricultural sector. Environmental Benefits This pilot is expected to generate the following environmental benefits: • A 70% reduction in GHG emissions; • A 70% reduction in energy consumption: • Reclamation of 64 tonnes of residual forest biomass per year. Economic and Social Benefits In addition to the environmental benefits, the AFMNB estimates that the project will serve as a catalyst in establishing a residual forest biomass market, channelling more than $50,000/year in energy costs toward the new local economy. The project will also foster the development of alternative energy sources in northern New Brunswick, reducing the municipalities’ vulnerability to energy price fluctuations. Upon completion of the project, fossil fuel heating systems in the four buildings will be replaced with biomass boilers and energy efficiency measures will be put in place in each building; following which several months of monitoring will be carried out to assess the results of the project. (Project description based on original funding application)