September 23, 2009
Francois Lake Ferry Operations Going Greener

BURNS LAKE - A pilot project for the Francois Lake Ferry is saving fuel and electricity, as well as reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the ferry's operations by 25 per cent, announced Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Shirley Bond and Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad.

"Improvements such as shore power and anti-idling measures not only cut down on GHG emissions, they also mean cleaner, healthier air for area residents and visitors to breathe," said Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad. "Reducing the electricity consumption of the ferry's dockside facilities is also important and demonstrates leadership."

Since 2006, the Province has partnered with ferry operator Waterbridge Equipment on the following improvements for the five-year-old MV Francois Forester and its facilities:

• Realignment of the north dock, which reduces the crossing time of the ferry by 10 minutes per round trip and saves approximately 100,000 litres of fuel and 275 tonnes of GHGs per year (completed in 2006).
• Installation of shore power, which eliminates the need for ferries to run their engines overnight, saves approximately 30,000 litres of diesel per year and reduces GHG emissions by 85 tonnes (completed in 2008).
• Installation of a fuel-monitoring system on the vessel, which measures fuel consumption and helps to identify optimal travel speeds and docking manoeuvres for better fuel efficiency (completed in 2009).
• Addition of anti-idling signage for the ferry terminal and the vessel (completed in 2008).
• Installation of high-efficiency indoor lighting, improved insulation and motion-sensor lights for washrooms (completed in 2008).
• Installation of high-efficiency parking lot lights (2009).

In total, these improvements are estimated to save 450 tonnes of GHGs annually, a 25 per cent reduction.

"By reducing the fuel and energy consumption of our inland ferries, we are being fiscally prudent and doing our part to reduce B.C.'s overall GHGs by 33 per cent by 2020, as set out in our provincial Climate Action Plan," said Bond. "This pilot of ongoing improvements for the Francois Lake ferry and its facilities shows how relatively simple changes can have a big impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and also guide our decision-making for future 'green' upgrades."

B.C.'s 14-route inland ferry fleet carries more than 2.5 million passengers and 1.6 million vehicles per year. The fleet consists of five diesel ferries, five reaction ferries, five cable ferries and one tug and barge system.

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