Free ice cream and laundry lines at this week's farmers' market to celebrate a successful Energy Diet
By Andrew Bennett
FortisBC will be out in force at this week’s Mountain Market to celebrate Rossland’s “impressive losses after six months on an energy diet” that has so far helped “to shed excess electricity and natural gas” usage in the city, said Nicole Bogdanovic of FortisBC.
Exactly how much the Rossland Energy Diet shed will be announced at the market itself—Thursday, July 12 at 3 p.m. between the Old Firehall and the United Church at 1st and Queen.
Carol Suhan, manager of FortisBC PowerSense Services, will make an official presentation to Mayor Greg Granstrom, and Steve Ash, the powerhouse behind the diet from the Sustainability Commission’s energy task force, will also join the fun.
FortisBC will be hand out free ice cream and laundry lines to anyone who visits their booth. The laundry lines will be available until the end of the market at 6 p.m.
“The Rossland Energy Diet took shape last fall when the community’s Sustainability Commission approached FortisBC for an ‘eco-vention’ after identifying that the average Rossland home consumed 36 per cent more electricity than other homes across the province,” Bogdanovic explained.
In partnership with the city, the Nelson and District Credit Union, and the Columbia Basin Trust, the Sustainability Commission and FortisBC led Rossland into “the first ever community-level energy diet,” she said.
“Program participants received a free initial energy assessment, help connecting with local qualified contractors to do the retrofit work, and guidance in capitalizing on the LiveSmart BC Efficiency Incentive Program and the former Federal ecoENERGY incentive programs,” she continued
Bogdanovic added that helping FortisBC customers “get the most out of their energy dollar” is a top concern for the company, both through financial incentives and advice on efficient technologies and practices.
“Since its inception in 1989, FortisBC’s PowerSense program has helped southern interior electricity customers save more than 425 gigawatt hours, enough electricity to power over 32,000 homes for a year,” she said. “Come help us celebrate Rossland’s success and take advantage of the great photo opportunities!”
The usual market shindig will be in full swing, with flautists Lois and Laura keeping the crowd entertained as folks hustle for fresh organic fruit and veg from Mad Dog Farm (Castlegar), The Garden Hoe (Creston), and Natalie’s Fruit (Grand Forks and beyond). Local favourites like Rachael’s Happy Valley Greens, Nicole’s amazing french bread, and Rebecca Gilhula’s world famous cupcakes will be sold alongside everything else under the sun, from fabric flower buttons and dazzling necklaces to handmade soap and herb-infused olive oil.
Information on energy efficiency tips, rebates, and programs to help save energy in homes or businesses, are available from PowerSense: call 1-866-436-7847, email powersense@fortisbc.com, or visit fortisbc.com.
