London’s JPII Catholic Secondary School becomes Canada’s first carbon-neutral school
Global News
The work that led to JPII's carbon-neutral status brings its annual greenhouse gas emissions to nearly zero and reduces baseline electricity costs by 68 per cent.
A high school in east London, Ont., has become Canada’s first to reach a self-sufficient, carbon-neutral status.
Officials marked the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday outside of John Paul II Catholic Secondary School (JPII).
JPII’s carbon-neutral status is the result of a two-year, $9.7-million transformation that included the installation of 2,700 covered carport solar panels, a 2.2-megawatt hour electrical storage system and a geothermal heating and cooling system.
According to the London District Catholic School Board (LDCSB), this brings JPII’s annual greenhouse gas emissions to nearly zero and reduces baseline electricity costs by 68 per cent.
The federal government contributed $4.8 million to the project through Natural Resources Canada (NRCan).
London North Centre MP Peter Fragiskatos says the project received federal funding because of its “groundbreaking nature.”
“It’s the first project of this kind in all of North America and it’s already serving as a model,” Fragiskatos said.
