L-R ShellyThomson Fortis BC, Jamie Smith Operations Manager YXS, Sarah Smith Fortis BC

Prince George, BC-  The Prince George Airport Authority has been handed a rebate cheque  for $33,452.00  from Fortis B.C.

The rebate is a result of the airport replacing its boilers with a new energy efficient system.  The  New system cost about $400 thousand dollars, but Airport Operations Manager Jamie Smith says  it is expected the  new system will  pay for itself  through  reduced  gas use.  

Sarah Smith, Director of Energy Efficiency and Conservation says the new  boiler system at the Airport will save  enough  energy to "travel around the world four times".

The Airport is looking  at other  energy saving ideas,  such as  new 1-5 approach  lighting.  "We are still looking for suitable lamps, but there will be a significant cost savings because the current fixtures are about 30 years old" says Jamie Smith.  

The  Prince George Airport was the first to use LED centre line lights on  a runway,  but  Smith says he's not certain if anyone is making  an LED 1-5 approach light.  No matter what the  upgrade,  he says it will have to be approved by  Transport Canada.

While there is good news in the energy savings, there is even more good news in how some of that money will be used.

The Airport has funded a summer intern who has been monitoring wildlife activity in the airport area.

Some of the rebate money will go towards continuing that work.

The plan is to come up with systems that will keep the critters off the airport grounds.

The data that is being gathered  will  be used to  create  a timeline of animal activities so  airport control staff are more aware of  when  critters are most likely to be in the area.