News Release

FREDERICTON (CNB) – The elementary school scheduled to be built on Fredericton's north side will be the first in the province to be heated by wood pellets.

"We are committed to implementing provincial policies that encourage the use of wood pellets and other bio-fuels to heat provincial buildings," said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Claude Williams. "The Department of Supply and Services is reviewing provincially owned buildings to identify viable opportunities for conversion to biomass energy. We are also encouraging the installation of biomass boilers to cover base heating requirements on new construction projects, particularly in areas of the province where natural gas is not available."

The wood pellet fired hot water heating boiler was included in the new school’s tender package that was issued in the spring. The construction contract was awarded to Maxim 2000 Inc. on June 30, with October 2012 identified as the date to have construction substantially completed.

"Our government continues to work with stakeholders to address the critical issues facing our forest industry and to renew and strengthen this important sector of our economy,'' said Natural Resources Minister Bruce Northrup. "This includes developing a Wood First policy to encourage the use of wood in constructing provincial buildings and of wood pellets to heat these buildings. This will directly benefit our wood producers while utilizing a renewable New Brunswick resource.''

The hot water boiler plant will use wood pellets as the base fuel while automatic controls will engage natural gas boilers to provide extra heat during extreme weather conditions. The 500 kw boiler will use about 300 tonnes of pellets annually.

The Wood First initiative is a commitment in the document Putting New Brunswick First.