recycling expands PAGE A3
laneway mural upgrade PAGE A9
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
VOL. 100 NO. 95
Pulp producers to receive energy-efficient incentives AUTUMN MacDONALD Observer Reporter A new Power Smart program will provide West Fraser Mills with $16 million over three years. The program, under the provincial government, is designed for thermal mechanical pulp producers to help reduce production electricity costs. The program will provide $16 million to the facility to invest in energy-efficient equipment and plant upgrades over the next three years. “This initiative will help West Fraser upgrade their facility to the 21st century, keeping our forestry sector alive, and keep workers at the mill employed,” Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes said. “This announcement by our government and BC Hydro will help our local economy and the environment, giving us a competitive edge in the forestry sector going forward.” The three-year initiative will benefit six other thermo-mechanical pulp mills run
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by Catalyst Paper, Canfor, West Fraser and Paper Excellence, which can get 75 per cent funding for energy-saving projects approved under the new PowerSmart program for industry. The Thermal-Mechanical Pulp Program is giving pulp and paper producers a total amount of $100 million in incentives over a three-year period to upgrade their equipment to more energy efficient model. This will save the pulp producers approximately $17.5 million in annual electricity costs, and reduce electricity consumption 300 gigawatt hours of electricity per year saving BC Hydro ratepayers up to $265 million. The demand for electricity in British Columbia is expected to grow by 40 per cent over the next 20 years. BC Hydro says investing in energy efficiency is a key component of the company’s Integrated Resource Plan target to meet 78 per cent of this demand through conservation, which, they say, is more cost-effective than acquiring new sources of power generation.
Fire ban lifted in Cariboo
As of late Friday, campfires will once again be permitted in the Cariboo Fire Centre east of the Fraser River. The Cariboo Fire Centre is rescinding its campfire prohibition in this area due to cool and wet weather conditions. The following uses will now be allowed in areas east of the Fraser River: • campfires, as defined by the wildfire regulation • open fires in an outdoor stove Campfires remain prohibited in the Cariboo Fire Centre west of the Fraser River, due to dry conditions and higher fire danger ratings. The public is reminded that campfires cannot be larger than a half-metre high by a half-metre wide. Anyone who lights a campfire must have a hand tool (such as a shovel) or at least eight litres of water available to fully extinguish it.
Never leave a campfire unattended and make sure that the ashes are completely cold to the touch before leaving the area for any length of time. Category 2 and Category 3 open fires remain prohibited throughout the entire Cariboo Fire Centre. This includes the use of fireworks, sky lanterns and burning barrels. Anyone found in contravention of an open fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $345 or, if convicted in court, may be fined up to $100,000 and sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be subject to a penalty of up to $10,000 and be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs. Report a wildfire or unattended campfire by calling 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.
Bigger and better at the Farmers’ Market Customers were happy with the giant-sized romaine lettuce they found at market stalls on Saturday. This is the peak of the season for locally grown produce and not better time to stroll the Helen Dixon grounds in downtown Quesnel Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Annie Gallant photo
EARLY DEADLINES
Our office will be CLOSED Monday, August 4, 2014. We will reopen on Tuesday, August 5, 2014.
August 6 issue
DEADLINES FOR ADVERTISING IN THE AUGUST 6 EDITION FOR CLASSIFIED DISPLAY, DISPLAY AND WORD CLASSIFIEDS THURSDAY, JULY 31 BY 4:00 PM Happy BC day from all of us at the
Good day, Quesnel. Thanks for reading — and that includes loyal subscriber L. Durocher! To join the Observer family, please call 250-992-2121 and ask for circulation.
Chili Cook Off 2014 August 23, 2014 11:00 am - 3:30 pm For more info contact
Susan MacNeill
250.985.5816 or 250.991.9664 Quesnel & District Hospice Palliative Care Association
Funds raised are for 2 New Wheelchairs!