CITYnews halifax: Solar power saves the environment — and thousands for the Smiths Cove Fire Department

CITYnews halifax / By Emma Amodio

The Smiths Cove Fire Department in Digby County is making the switch to solar energy, backed by a $94,043 grant from the province.

According to a release, solar energy will help save the department up to $600,000 over 30 to 35 years, the typical shelf life of solar panels. Solar panels are now anticipated to cover 97 per cent of the department’s energy needs.

The funding was announced on June 11, by Jill Balser, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and MLA for Digby-Annapolis, on behalf of Timothy Halman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

“Volunteer fire departments are at the heart of so many Nova Scotia communities,” said Minister Balser. “They show up for us on our hardest days, and people depend on them. This funding will help the Smiths Cove Fire Department lower their energy costs and their carbon emissions by switching to clean, reliable solar power. That means more of their resources can go toward the essential services they provide.”

The government’s Sustainable Communities Challenge fund helped supply this investment — it’s a grant program that helps Nova Scotians adapt to climate change and avoid its impacts.

The fire department works in Smiths Cove and the area surrounding in Digby County while also providing a place residents can take refuge during power outages and host events in the community.

Joshua Snyder, Chief of the Smiths Cove Fire Department said this investment will help the volunteer fire service focus on improving their operations and keeping the community safe.

The fourth round of applications for the fund opened on May 28, focused on projects that address drought and water shortages.