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Pulp and paper mills receive CleanBC Industry Fund support to reduce emissions and create jobs

CleanBC Industry Fund, a British Columbia government program, is investing in the emission reduction and the adoption of cleaner technologies in different sectors, including pulp and paper.

The fund is investing in new projects in the province that will reduce climate pollution and help businesses create new opportunities for people in the clean economy.

The funded projects will support a wide range of clean technologies, including energy-efficiency improvements at pulp and paper mills.

“This CleanBC program and the commitment of industry are creating greater opportunities to compete in a global economy that is increasingly seeking low-carbon products,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “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.”

This third round of funding through the program brings the total emissions reduction from this program to six million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), which is equal to taking 130,000 cars off the road each year for approximately 10 years.

The CleanBC projects are supported by more than $70 million in carbon tax revenues paid by industry and are part of the program’s Emissions Performance stream. Industry proponents are contributing $74.5 million, with an additional $22 million coming from sources such as BC Hydro, FortisBC and other government programs, for a total combined investment of more than $166 million.

The projects were announced at a virtual event with Heyman and Conroy. Levi Sampson, president of Nanaimo Forest Product’s employee-owned Harmac Pacific pulp mill, was also present during the announcement. The Harmac Pacific pulp mill has been awarded two CleanBC Industry Fund projects. The funds will be used by the mill for substantial energy-efficiency upgrades and investments in its biomass boiler system, pulp dryer and building heating and ventilation system.

“By working through the CleanBC Industry Fund, we will be making significant energy efficiency improvements to Harmac Pacific’s operations by investing in cleaner technology that will substantially reduce our greenhouse gas emissions,” Sampson said. “This is fantastic news for our employees and will help reduce energy costs and make our mill even more efficient and attractive for buyers looking for high-quality, low-carbon pulp products.”

Paper Excellence is also a recipient of a significant amount of the funding, which will be invested in four of its B.C. mills – Catalyst Crofton, Catalyst Port Alberni, Howe Sound Pulp and Paper and Skookumchuck Pulp.

Katrine Conroy, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, said: “B.C.’s natural resource companies, including in the forestry sector, are transitioning to cleaner, more innovative technologies and our government is helping accelerate this process with CleanBC. This latest round of CleanBC funding is leveraging new investment in B.C.’s pulp and paper mills and supporting good jobs for people in communities across the province.”