Green Energy Project Planned for Cape Breton

Cape Breton's Strait-Highlands region is taking an active stand against climate change thanks, in part, to the government of Nova Scotia.

"We're pleased to support the Strait-Highlands region in its efforts to help combat climate change in Port Hawkesbury, Inverness County and Richmond County," said Energy Minister Bill Dooks. "The green action plan will help pave the way toward a cleaner, greener province."

With sustainability driving its mandate, the Strait-Highlands Regional Development Agency is embarking on a three-year, three-phase green action plan which aims at reducing the region's greenhouse gas emissions -- leading contributors to climate change.

"Our green action plan will help us to identify ways to reduce the impacts of climate change on our environment, keep money in our communities and generate economic growth and investment by positioning the Strait-Highlands region to take advantage of the growing renewable energy market," said Blaine Gillis, chief executive officer of the Strait-Highlands Regional Development Agency.

The Department of Energy is contributing $50,000 to the Strait-Highlands Regional Development Agency's $700,000 initiative. Half of the project will be funded by the Green Municipal Fund, a national fund which supports municipal governments and their partners, to improve the quality of air, water and soil, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Additional funding for the project has been provided by private sector employers, municipal and provincial governments, including the Office of Economic Development and Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations.