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Solar projects enlighten students -School District looking skywards for solutions
COMOX VALLEY — The Comox Valley School District is hoping to enlighten students and the general public through new alternative energy projects it has on the go. The first is through the creation of the valley’s first solar powered sign, a project designed and manufactured through the physics and engineering students of Georges P. Vanier Secondary School. The sign, located on the front of the school’s property utilizes a large solar panel which harnesses the sun’s energy and stores it as battery power for night time illuminations. Engineering teacher Steve Classen said the project shows kids and the community the potential of solar energy, proving fossil fuels don’t have to be relied on anymore. The district had earlier completed a project on the roof of Highland Secondary in Comox. In that instance, water passes through large solar panels heating the water in order to cut down on the school’s hot water heating bills. The projects are considered a first step in “getting people excited about solar energy letting them know the district is committed to energy conservation” according to the district’s Manager of Energy Conservation, Fred McGregor
Wind Storm Clean-Up
Vancouver Island clean-up crews are still picking up the pieces after Good Friday’s wind storm. Most power has been restored but Hydro crews are still working to re-secure downed power lines. Many homeowners are also still dealing with the winds’ aftermath, especially those who had trees fall on their property.
Vancouver Island Wind Storm
A fierce spring storm roared up and down Vancouver Island, knocking power out to about 90 thousand customers at the height of the storm.
Devastating Wind
MILL BAY – Strong winds destroy docks and smash boats at Mill Bay Marina. Several boats were thrown ashore while others sunk as waves pounded the tiny community. Coastal areas up and down Vancouver Island were hit hard by the Spring storm that also knocked out power to thousands of people. The strong southeast winds led to a number of delays and cancelations for BC Ferries.
Your Hydro Bills Could Spike 9-33%
VICTORIA – BC Hydro is the government-owned company that keeps our lights on through hydro-electric power. But its says its dams power stations and transmission lines are getting old and need nearly billion in major upgrades. You are going to pay for it. Wednesday, the company announced it’s seeking permission to raise consumer rates by nine per cent. Hydro says if it gets its way that amounts to 25 cents a day; a total of a year on your energy bills. The company won’t say what it plans to do in the years after that, but documents presented in the BC budget lockup yesterday show the company is planning to raise rates every year for the next four years. That means BC residential customers will be paying 33% more to keep the lights on and the washing machine churning. It’s up to the BC Utilities Commission to decide if a move to make your hydro much more expensive is ‘power smart.’ And if it does, you’ll start paying more on April first.