Clearwater councilor Bert Walker has gone to Austria. Last Tuesday town council approved sending Walker to a bio-energy conference in Austria titled "Hands on District Heating Workshop 2011."
The 10-day workshop will discuss how to use biomass, such as waste wood, to heat municipal buildings, schools and hospitals. Mayor John Harwood noted that making use of waste wood from around the community for heating would help reduce the amount of forest fuels, which would in turn cut down on the danger of interface wildfires.
Funding to help the municipality pay for the trip came available at the last minute. Several potential partners have already expressed an interest in using biomass as fuel. Sending Walker to the workshop would result in getting information that the whole valley could use, said the mayor.
He pointed out that the Sportsplex alone uses $45,000 in propane each year. Councilor Ken Kjenstad pointed out that Austria has established itself as a world leader in using biomass as fuel. B.C. could become a global leader in producing biomass fuels, he felt.
Stephanie Teare appeared to be the only councilor to vote against the motion. Corporate administrator Leslie Groulx had put so much work into the question that she should be the one to go, she felt.
Fearing a potential perceived conflict of interest, Walker left the room during the debate.
The workshop began Feb. 20 and will continue until Mar. 4. The motion approved funding of up to $3,500 for accommodation and travel, with the money coming from the North Thompson Economic Development Society trust fund.