Province Announces Funding for Green Transportation Projects

Grants are now available for green transportation projects in rural communities provincewide.

Conserve Nova Scotia is investing $200,000 in the Green Mobility Capital Grants program this year.

Through the program, towns, municipalities and community groups can access grants of up to $25,000 for environmentally friendly, community-based transportation projects that encourage energy efficiency on the road.

"Promoting energy efficiency in the transportation sector is an important part of Conserve Nova Scotia's mandate," said Richard Hurlburt, Minister responsible for Conserve Nova Scotia.

"Providing Nova Scotians with cleaner, more sustainable transportation options through this program is one of the many ways that the province is working toward reducing greenhouse-gas emissions to at least 10 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020."

Grants will be awarded to support sustainable transportation infrastructure projects including:

• The purchase of an accessible van, feeder bus, or car-share program vehicle
• The construction of a trail connecting a neighbourhood to a transit terminal
• The purchase of bike racks for transit vehicles
• The installation of bike racks
• The creation of a pedestrian zone, bike lane, or car-free area
• The installation of share the road signs.

The Green Mobility Capital Grants program is administered by the Ecology Action Centre, a non-profit organization that has been working to build a healthier, more sustainable Nova Scotia for more than 35 years.

"We are looking for projects that demonstrate both the ecological and social benefits of sustainable transportation," said Green Mobility Grants co-ordinator Jennifer Scott.

"Providing Nova Scotians with improved transportation choices will not only reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and air pollutants but will support small town revitalization and help improve safety, affordability and access for rural residents."

To qualify for a grant, matching funding of at least 50 per cent of the total project value is required and projects must be completed by September 2009.

Last year, nine communities received funding through the program: the Town of Wolfville; Annapolis County; Bridgewater; Tantallon; Parrsboro; Judique; the Town of Pictou; Pictou County; and the Strait area.

The deadline for applications is Dec. 22. For application details, please visit www.ecologyaction.ca/trax .

Under the Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act, Nova Scotia has established a target to have one of the cleanest and most sustainable environments in the world by 2020.