Harmac Pacific’s Nanaimo pulp mill will receive $12 million from the province to reduce its natural-gas use by upgrading its biomass boiler system, as part of more than $166 million in clean-technology funding announced Monday.
Another $616,783 is going to improve Harmac’s pulp dryer and heating and ventilation systems to recover heat and cut down on natural-gas use.
The pulp mill’s projects are among 25 initiatives to implement cleaner technologies and reduce emissions in sectors such as pulp and paper, mining, and oil and gas.
Money will be invested in energy-efficiency improvements at pulp and paper mills, electrifying equipment in the mining and oil and gas sectors, and gas-capture systems at the Vancouver landfill and at oil and gas operations.
The CleanBC Industry Fund, supported by the carbon tax paid to the province by industry, is investing $70 million. Another $74.5 million is coming from industry, and other sources such as B.C. Hydro and FortisBC, while other government programs are contributing $22 million.
This is the third round of funding through the fund, and includes nine pulp-and-paper operations.
Levi Sampson, president of Harmac Pacific, also known as Nanaimo Forest Products Ltd., said the projects will allow the company to continue to be competitive while also “doing the right thing” for the province, the country and the world by continuing to reduce emissions. “These are the kind of projects that we are very happy to align ourselves with.”
Employee-owned Harmac has 320 full-time employees.
The funding support will help reduce energy costs and make the mill “even more efficient and attractive” for buyers looking for high-quality, low-carbon pulp products, Sampson said.
Those receiving funding support go through rigorous testing, and must provide a “very good plan on how you are actually going to reduce CO2 emissions at the end and make your company a better part of the future for your industry,” he said.
Funds under the program will also go toward reducing use of natural gas at two Catalyst Paper Corp. pulp and paper mills on the Island.
Its Crofton operation will use $5.85 million in funding in improving the efficiency of its steam use, which in turn will cut back the natural gas required for its steam boilers.
In Port Alberni, Catalyst is using $323,100 to bring in a new auxiliary hog wood waste feed system at its pulp and paper mill to create a more reliable biomass fuel supply for its steam boiler and to cut natural gas use. Biomass boilers use wood as fuel.
Environment Minister George Heyman said the CleanBC program, combined with industry commitment, is creating greater opportunities to compete in a global economy that is increasingly seeking low-carbon products.
“By working with industry, we’re unlocking new investments in the province to significantly cut carbon pollution and support innovative, clean technologies to address the climate crisis and benefit communities.”
The latest round of funding is expected to reduce about 4.6 million tonnes of greenhouse gases over the next decade, Heyman said.
cjwilson@timescolonist.com
