The Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows School District will be eligible to get back all the money it has paid for carbon offsets for the past two years under the provincial government’s carbon tax scheme, and a little bit more.
In all, the district will be eligible for $217,084 in funding from the provincial government. However, the money is earmarked to pay for energy efficient upgrade projects across the district.
“[The provincial government] is reinvesting those tax dollars in school districts,” said school board chair Mike Murray.
Under the provincial government’s carbon tax program, school districts are required to calculate their annual carbon footprint, and then purchase the appropriate amount of carbon offsets to bring them carbon neutrality.
“Things like paper use, electricity, and gas all contribute [to the district’s carbon footprint],” said secretary treasurer Flavia Coughlan.
School District No. 42 paid more than $190,000 in 2010 and 2011 to purchase carbon offsets.
That money, as well as and additional $17,000, will be made available to the district in the form of capital funding.
A call for projects will take place beginning next year.
“The primary consideration in choosing successful projects will be measurable emissions reductions,” according to the Ministry of Education.