Environmental Products and Services

This emerging cluster has a history of development in southern Alberta with a focus on wind turbines, solar heating, geothermal technology and biofuels. While sustainable energy is part of the equation, solutions for other renewable and non-renewable resources like water, forest products, and metals are also required. Partnerships within this sector create opportunities to build on our leadership in providing solutions. Innovative businesses and world-class training and research are key strengths in this innovative cluster. The enhanced transmission capacity provided by recent investment into this infrastructure has created opportunities for new wind and solar farm ventures in southern Alberta.

• Commercial developments such as the newest First Choice Savings Branch use green technologies in the construction and operation of their business. PepsiCo Beverages Canada is building a 9,600-square-foot LEED-certified warehouse distribution facility
• Lethbridge is also home to SunRidge - Canda’s first green built residential community and BlackWolfe, Alberta’s first Energy Star Community.

Key companies in the Lethbridge area include:

• Kyoto Fuels Corporation (www.kyotofuels.com) Kyoto Fuels will be commissioning its 66 million litre biodiesel facility in the near future. Biodiesel will improve air quality by reducing emissions and will help mitigate climate change. The biodiesel industry will provide new opportunities to producers and the agriculture industry.
• EnviroFoam (www.envirofoaminsulation.com) is a closed cell urethane spray foam insulation made from soybean oil and recycled plastic bottles. It uses Zero Ozone Depletion Substance blowing agent. A building insulated and sealed with EnviroFoam will use 50 to 80% less energy. According to the 2003 NRC Survey of Household Energy Use, the average 2000 sq. ft. home can reduce its GHG emissions by 4.1 tonnes, the equivalent of taking 676 SUVs off the road.
• Lethbridge Biogas LP is a partnership between ECB Enviro North America Inc. and PlanEt Biogas Solutions Inc. Construction has begun on the plant which has an anticipated opening in the Fall of 2013. Lethbridge Biogas will add green, renewable, sustainable electricity to Alberta’s grid. They will also add organic fertilizer, and will contribute to the reduction of the carbon footprint in southern Alberta.