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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The city is putting more than half a million dollars into green projects thanks to a federal grant from the Green Municipal Fund.

Much of the $622,500 is already being spent on current projects - such as a study examining the feasibility of using heat extracted from the abandoned Con Mine.

"It's had a big impact on what we've been able to do," Coun. Mark Heyck said of the funds at a press conference on April 17.

"Some of the initiatives have already started," he said.

The greatest amount being allocated to a single project is $330,000, which will be spent on the Yellowknife Smart Growth development plan.

This plan, which got underway last year, looks at more sustainable ways of developing the city. The aim is to create more walkable neighbourhoods and quality urban spaces in four neighbourhoods: Old Town, Old Airport Road, downtown and the Con Mine area.

Residents are invited to give their input for this project at a four-day event, from April 27 to April 30 at the Explorer Hotel.

Another project receiving a large portion of the funding is a geothermal system feasibility study. This ongoing study, which will receive $142,500 from the fund, investigates how feasible it would be to use heat from the Con Mine for a community energy system.

The city estimates using the trapped heat could reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Yellowknife by 12 per cent.

A further $100,000 is going toward a sewage lagoon planning study. The lagoon now naturally cleans sewage as it makes its way through creeks and streams, Heyck said, but discharge standards are increasing. The study is looking at costs associated with upgrading the sewage system.

Finally, $50,000 will help pay for a waste audit and recycling study. The study will examine the feasibility of implementing curbside recycling and a centralized composting system. The city's goal is to increase waste diversion from the landfill by 40 per cent by 2011.

The Green Fund was established by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, with funding from the Canadian government.

"We've had significant recognition over the years," said Mayor Gord Van Tighem, referring to the impact the green funds have had on the city's ability to implement environmentally sustainable initiatives.

Heyck said municipalities must compete for the funds.

"There's a fair amount of work with the application process," he said.