SOUTH CUMBERLAND NEWS - AUGUST, 2019 - PAGE 3 Joggins ... · tion of three new members to the Board...

By Maurice ReesA $250,000 contract for

the concept design phase of aminewater geothermal busi-ness park in Springhill will becompleted by DesignPointEngineering & Surveying Ltd.,as the result of an openrequest for proposals in theRequest for Proposals (RFP)process.

The geothermal potentialon a larger scale in Springhillhas been a subject of interestfor decades. Minewater hasbeen used for geothermalheating and cooling in busi-nesses in Springhill for over30 years. In fall of 1986, ACOAwas involved in a fundingannouncement under theMulroney government. It wasprojected future businessesinvolving acres of glass forgreenhouses would be a reali-ty. Now over 30 years laterthe opportunity to create alarger minewater geothermalbusiness park is closer to real-ity.

The Government ofCanada, through the AtlanticCanada OpportunitiesAgency’s (ACOA) InnovativeCommunities Fund, is provid-ing a $125,000 contributionfor the concept design while

the Cumberland EnergyAuthority will contribute anequal amount.

Springhill is noted for hav-ing some of the deepest coalmines in North America, withdepths reaching 1323 metres.Coal mining became the pri-mary industry for the commu-nity in 1849 and continueduntil a series of mining disas-ters forced the closure of themines in 1958. This was theend of large-scale coal miningin Springhill. Over the years,the mine tunnels started toflood with water, providing avaluable resource for thecommunity.

“Geothermal energy hasbeen shown to significantlyreduce energy costs,” said BillCasey, the Member ofParliament for Cumberland –Colchester, on behalf of theHonourable Navdeep Bains,Minister of Innovation,Science and EconomicDevelopment and Ministerresponsible for ACOA.“Through projects like thisone, the Government ofCanada is helping local busi-nesses save on energy so theycan better compete in theglobal market and grow theeconomy. The green industrial

business park will help com-panies decrease their carbonfootprint, develop efficientand renewable energy, andprotect the environment.”

ACOA has previously fund-ed research related to theminewater geothermal poten-tial in Springhill. The draftconcept design will include aplan showing the proposedroad layout, lot configurations,water, sanitary and stormwa-ter management systems,active transportation routes, a“whole community” aestheticand a district energy systembrief.

“We had considerableinterest in the RFP processfrom many engineering firms.We are confident in the teamat DesignPoint and look for-ward to working with themon this unique opportunity,”stated Ray Hickey, ExecutiveDirector of the CumberlandEnergy Authority. “This vitalphase of the business parkdevelopment wouldn’t bepossible without the contin-ued financial support fromACOA.”

The Cumberland EnergyAuthority is a project of theMunicipality of Cumberland,intent on setting the standardof leadership in local govern-ment for the development ofrenewable energy, support ofthe progressive energy indus-try and the encouragement ofa sustainable future for ourcommunities.

SOUTH CUMBERLAND NEWS - AUGUST, 2019 - PAGE 3

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On July 9th, children ingrades four, five and six regis-tered in the Municipality ofCumberland Summer CampProgram in Springhill andParrsboro, participated in aCliffs of Fundy Geo-ExplorersProgram.

The Geo-Explorer Program,held on the shoreline inParrsboro near PartridgeIsland, was led by Dr. JohnCalder. Dr. Calder educated thegroup about the unique geolo-gy that exits in the area as herecounted the story of Pangea.Following the interactive edu-cational lesson, participantsexplored the shoreline insearch of “special stones”. Dr.Calder shared that each rockhas a unique story andexplained the storyline behindeach stone presented by thechildren.

The Geo-Explorers Programended with a “plein air” styleart activity which was facilitat-ed by local artist, Krista Wells,who guided the group through

the process of mixing primarypaint colors to create new col-ors and encouraged them todesign their own interpreta-tion of the landscape.

The Geo-Explorers Programprovided the children a fun-filled, educational, outdoorexperience linking culture andgeology. “Anytime you canshare information with a childin a way that sparks curiosityand a new sense of wonderabout the geology and theworld around them, is a suc-cessful day, and I would saythis day is a huge success.”,said Dr. Calder. ComposerJeffrey Martin will provide apresentation and family work-shop at the Joggins FossilCentre on Sunday August 4. At11:00 AM Jeffrey presents“Soundscape Composition: Anintroduction”, and familiarizesparticipants with soundscapecomposition, a form of sound-based music. He also leads adiscussion of soundscape,soundwalking and acoustic

ecology, presents excerptsfrom other soundscape com-posers’ works, as well as anoverview of his own, currentsoundscape project, SoundingCliffs. This presentation is freeand open to the public.

At 2:00 PM Jeffrey leads afamily workshop entitled“Composing with EverydaySounds”. Participants learnhow to edit, transform andarrange recordings of soundsfrom everyday environmentsto create interesting composi-tions. No experience is neces-sary; but younger participantswould benefit from the guid-ance of parents/guardians orolder siblings.

Participants must bringtheir own laptop computerand headphones. All othermaterial will be provided. Andthe workshop is free but regis-tration is necessary. ContactLaurie at 902-251-2727 Ext 224or email:education@joggins-fossilcliffs.net. The ArtScapeArtist-in-Residence Program issponsored by ArtsNS, ArtsNBand the Municipality of theCounty of Cumberland.

Cliffs of Fundy Geo-Explorers

The FORCE demonstrationsite outside Parrsboro will havea new tenant as a result ofDepartment of Energy andMines issuing two marinerenewable energy permits toJupiter Hydro for a tidal elec-tricity project.

“Nova Scotia continues to bea leader in the development ofclean, renewable tidal energy,”said Energy and Mines MinisterDerek Mombourquette. “Having

another company test theirtechnology in the Bay of Fundyshows that this early-stageindustry continues to grow andcreate green jobs in our ruralcommunities.”

The first permit allows thecompany to test a one-megawatt prototype that is notconnected to the electricitygrid. The second permit is forup to two megawatts. This five-year permit is renewable if the

company meets performancestandards, environmentalrequirements and communityengagement conditions.

The project is required toobtain all other necessaryapprovals, permits and authori-zations. The project will belocated near the Fundy OceanResearch Center for Energy inthe Minas Passage and will useexisting electricity grid connec-tions.

FORCE Site Has New Tenant

Minewater Business Park Design Gets Funding

The Joggins Fossil Institutehas announced the installa-tion of three new members tothe Board of Directors: Mr.Brian F.P. Murphy Q.C., ofMoncton, New Brunswick, Mr.Ron Burdock, of Halifax, NovaScotia and Dr. Jeff Ollerheadof Wood Point, NewBrunswick.

Brian F.P. Murphy, Q.C., isan experienced litigator andis a member of the CanadianBar Association, the LawSociety of Upper Canada, andthe Law Society of NewBrunswick. He is immediatepast President of the MonctonArea Lawyers’ Association andsits on the ExaminingCommittee of the Law Societyof New Brunswick. He was

appointed Queen’s Counselin 2015.

Ron Burdock is a Principaland LEED AccreditedProfessional, with over 30years of experience, atArchitecture49 and its prede-cessor, WHW Architects. Mr.Burdock served as presidentof the Nova Scotia Associationof Architects from 2010 to2012, and he was elected amember of the College ofFellows, Royal ArchitecturalInstitute of Canada in 2014.

Dr. Jeff Ollerhead isProvost and Vice-President,Academic &Research/Professor at MountAllison University, whoseduties in that capacity includethe planning and manage-

ment of the university’s aca-demic affairs and the develop-ment, maintaining and sup-porting of teaching andresearch excellence. Dr.Ollerhead joined the MTADepartment of Geographyand Environment in 1994 andserved previously asDepartment Head and Deanof Science and GraduateStudies. His research interestsinclude coastal evolution andsalt marsh restoration.

The Joggins Fossil InstituteBoard of Directors are volun-teers. Please contact Laurie at902-25-2727 ext. 224 or edu-cation@jogginsfossilcliffs.netfor more information.

Joggins Fossil Institute Appoints New Board Members