Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to give you a status report on the energy conservation initiatives undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Services. This work was initiated last year through the GNWT's energy conservation action plan and supports this government’s action on climate change, as described in the NWT Greenhouse Gas Strategy, while upholding the principle of the NWT energy plan.

Earlier this year, I reported that PWS had been working with the Department of Justice to install a biomass heating system -- wood pellet boilers -- at North Slave Correctional facility. This has been in operation since December 1, 2006, and, to date, has realized heat savings of $18,000 with greenhouse gas emissions reduced by 760 tonnes and a heating oil displacement of approximately 260,000 litres.

Since February 2007, the efficiency in the combined wood pellet and oil-fired heating system was improved and we expect more savings than originally forecasted.

Mr. Speaker, later today, at the appropriate time, I will table a report on the biomass heating system.

Public Works and Services also approached energy conservation initiatives through construction projects using federal government incentive standards in designing schools in Ndilo, Gameti and Tulita to optimize fuel and power consumption over the life of the buildings. It is estimated the resulting energy savings will save the GNWT about $100,000 in operating costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 200 tonnes per year.

Public Works and Services completed infrared thermal scanning on 177 GNWT and community buildings to highlight areas with excessive heat loss including buildings in Fort Smith, Hay River, Hay River Reserve, Enterprise and Norman Wells. During this time, the department inspected mechanical and electrical systems in 145 GNWT buildings to identify opportunities for energy conservation with the results being analyzed for potential future energy reductions. This program is expected to continue into the fall of 2007.

PWS continues to work on the Fort Smith electrical heating project. The plan is to use excess hydroelectric power from the Taltson hydro dam to heat GNWT buildings currently heated by oil or propane. The most cost-effective option is to convert three buildings, which are the GNWT records storage warehouse, Breynat Hall, and JBT Elementary School in Fort Smith. The project is expected to be completed by the fall 2007. We expect greenhouse gas emission reductions of 805 tonnes per year as well as annual operations savings of about $214,000 subject to fuel oil prices.

PWS has worked with people in Yellowknife to provide upgrades to the mechanical and electrical systems in three GNWT leased buildings. In addition to saving lease money in the future, these upgrades are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 270 tonnes every year. The department will be looking for similar opportunities for other leased spaces.

The PWS facility design standard, called Good Building Practice for Northern Facilities, is being updated to reflect recent technology advances and newly adopted energy saving strategies. The comprehensive new version of guidelines will be published this fiscal year and will include the requirement to apply the Commercial Building Incentive Program design protocol when designing new facilities.

Mr. Speaker, to date, the energy initiatives of PWS are expected to result in about $500,000 savings to the government each year, with annual greenhouse gas emission reduction of about 2,700 tonnes.

Public Works and Services will continue to work on existing and new conservation initiatives and on identifying new technologies to help reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause