Students in Ottawa will soon have better, greener and more energy-efficient places to learn.

Through the installation of green technology, Ontario’s Green Schools Pilot Initiative will help over 150 schools in 40 school boards become greener and more energy-efficient. The $20 million investment will benefit students and local businesses which will showcase their innovative green technologies, and support Ontario’s green economy.

In Ottawa, this means six schools will soon be more energy efficient. The Ottawa Catholic School Board has partnered with several local companies for pilot projects at three high schools:

·A solar water heating pilot project at St. Pius X Catholic High School in partnership with Viessmann Manufacturing Company;

·An electric energy conservation project at Sacred Heart High School, in partnership with Process Research Ortech and Power Saving Systems; and

·A solar cogeneration pilot project at Mother Teresa Catholic High School, in partnership with Menova Energy.

The Ottawa Carleton District School Board has partnered with Process Research Ortech and Power Saving Systems for a pilot project in energy conservation, and with Viessmann Manufacturing Company for a solar water heating pilot project, both at Longfield Davidson Heights High School in Kanata.

The Conseil des écoles catholiques de langue française du Centre-Est has partnered with Green Turtle Technologies for a rainwater harvesting pilot project at École élémentaire catholique Avalon in Orleans.

This investment supports Ontario’s Innovation Agenda and is part of Ontario’s efforts to reduce environmental footprints in its publicly funded schools, making them better places for students to learn and succeed in the future. Work on these projects is expected to begin shortly.

QUOTES

“This investment gives Ottawa school boards the opportunity to be leaders in the new green economy. Not only will our schools reduce their energy bills and support jobs by using local companies, but they will teach an important lesson to their students about the importance of sustainable growth.”

- Yasir Naqvi, MPP Ottawa Centre

“Investing in more energy efficient schools promotes better, greener learning environments and helps teach our students the importance of energy conservation.”

–Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Education

QUICK FACTS

·This initiative is being supported through a partnership between the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Research and Innovation.

·In April 2009, Ontario invested $550 million to help over 1,000 schools become more energy efficient, creating and sustaining over 5,500 jobs.

·Since 2003, the McGuinty government has supported 13,000 school renewal projects, which include replacing roofs, windows and boilers.

LEARN MORE

·Find out more about the greening of Ontario’s schools.

·Read the government’s vision for education.

·Learn more about Ontario’s Innovation Agenda.