SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - In an effort to burn less money the legislative assembly will burn wood pellets in an effort to conserve energy and lower greenhouse gases.

Legislative assembly deputy sergeant-at-arms Derek Edjericon, left, speaker Paul Delorey and sergeant at arms Brian Thagard are pictured with the new wood pellet boiler installed at the legislative assembly. - photo courtesy of legislative assembly

Speaker Paul Delorey expects the $380,000 new furnace, unveiled Oct. 29 and installed by Arctic Energy, will save the legislature 60 per cent on its fuel costs. It will provide 90 per cent of the building's heat, though at peak heating times the diesel boiler will also be used.

"It's not the first wood pellet boiler in Yellowknife, but we are still trying to lead by example," said Delorey of the furnace's twin aims of cutting heating costs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Other steps taken to reduce the legislature's environmental footprint have been to cut back on lighting at night, using low voltage bulbs, paper use reduction, purchasing a hybrid car and a drop the pop campaign.

The territorial government has now installed wood pellet burning furnaces in 10 of its buildings. Public Works and Services assistant deputy minister Mike Burns said, combined, those furnaces save the territory $790,000 annually in diesel costs.

“We look at opportunities to install the furnaces and do a cost benefit analysis for all new major capital buildings and existing buildings,” said Burns.

At current diesel prices, government pellet furnaces take an average of five to seven years to pay for themselves through fuel savings.

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