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Course considered on wood stove installation
Arctic Energy Alliance hoping for a training program

Danielle Sachs
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, July 26, 2012

INUVIK
With the Ikhil natural gas well running out in about a year, Inuvik needs alternative energy sources and Arctic Energy Alliance is trying to provide an option.

The organization wants to offer wood energy transfer (WET) certification training to Inuvik and area residents.

"There's a transition in Inuvik from one form of energy to another form at a higher price," said Louie Azzolini, executive director of the alliance.

"I think it's good timing."

The courses would potentially be offered in the fall.

"Our intention is to have WET training in Inuvik," said Azzolini. "Of course, it would be open to people across the North."

He said that while wood might not be the only solution, it has the potential to create employment opportunities for Inuvik.

The organization is updating cost estimates for shipping bulk supplies of wood – either cord or pellets – to Inuvik.

"Shipping is expensive," said Azzolini. "But it's an opportunity for enterprising people in Inuvik to maybe get into the wood servicing industry."

Azzolini said it costs a lot of money to heat a home or business and with an uncertain energy future in Inuvik, prices are going to get much worse before they get better.

"You're looking at people spending a huge chunk of disposable income on heat," said Azzolini.

"Anything people can do to make that more affordable is worth looking into."

He said some Inuvik businesses and residents have already contacted the organization asking about wood heat, but there's no point in selling a wood boiler if no one knows how to install it properly. That's where the WET training comes in.

"Currently, installation is unregulated," said Azzolini. "Many stoves do not meet regulations and they would be considered unsafe, it really is an issue that needs attention."

The training would help people learn how to install the stoves correctly and would have them certified across Canada. It's something that Azzolini said is necessary for insurance purposes, not to mention health and safety issues.

"We've helped people in the area change to wood," said Azzolini. "When we did the change outs it raised a lot of red flags, but what do you do? It falls through the cracks."

He's hoping that by getting people certified, Inuvik will have one more option for heat that shouldn't break the bank.

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