SYDNEY (NS) – October 9, 2009 – The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, today announced a $7.5 million investment from the Government of Canada toward the construction and operating costs of the Centre for Sustainability in Energy and the Environment (CSEE) at Cape Breton University (CBU). A total of $4.5 million will be provided through Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation and $3 million through Industry Canada.
“Investments through our government's Economic Action Plan continue to provide timely and targeted stimulus to communities across Canada,” said Minster MacKay. “This modern research centre will play an important role in the economic future of Cape Breton Island. Its research and teaching focus will draw on the Island’s natural resources and its coal mining and steel making history to address important issues of energy sustainability and environmental remediation.”
The CSEE will be a cutting-edge and fully green facility that will allow researchers and experts from around the world to explore sustainable energy and environmental energy technologies. The role of the CSEE is twofold: to complement and work with the scientific community and commercial partners to help foster and develop sustainable energy and environmental technological breakthroughs and to develop the skills and training these industry sectors require.
“Today’s announcement underscores the validity of Cape Breton University’s vision to establish a Centre that will focus on the compelling issues of energy and the environment on a global level,” said John Harker, President and Vice Chancellor of Cape Breton University. “This funding is an important investment in a major project with long term, positive implications for the community at large. We very much welcome this financial support from the Government of Canada as it marks an important milestone for this $20 million initiative.
Cape Breton Island is uniquely situated to confront environmental and energy challenges. The Island’s geography and geology offer a range of research opportunities for sustainable energy. In addition, due to the Island’s industrial past, over $750 million has been committed for environmental remediation activities. The CSEE will focus on four principal research themes – environmental remediation and monitoring technologies; green energy; mine water remediation and management; and clean energy from coal.
Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation offers programs in support of economic development initiatives and is responsible for delivering ACOA’s programs on Cape Breton Island and in the Mulgrave area.
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INFORMATION:
Irene Khattar
Manager, Communications & PR
Cape Breton University
Tel: (902) 563-1896
Cell: (902) 577-5369
D.A. Landry
ECBC Communications
902-564-3617