London’s Sewage to Energy System Receives AMO Award

Toronto, Ontario, August 16, 2021 – An innovative energy-saving project has earned the City of London a 2021 AMO federal Gas Tax/Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF) award.

The award was presented at the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference, August 16, which was held entirely online.

“Congratulations to the City of London on winning an AMO federal Gas Tax/Canada Community-Building Fund Award,” said AMO President Graydon Smith. “London’s project helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save on energy costs, and has a real, local impact on the city’s residents. With an additional $816 million delivered through the fund in 2021, municipalities across Ontario will be able to invest in even more local projects that benefit our communities.”

London invested $4.5 million from the CCBF to install an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) System at its Greenway Pollution Centre. The ORC turns heat generated by burning sewage sludge into energy.

“The City of London’s ORC System is the first of its kind in Canada and is also our largest single effort to cut energy use in City facilities. It provides a renewable, zero-emission source of energy, since the power it generates is from an existing heat source that requires no additional fuel or energy,” said City of London Mayor Ed Holder. “I hope everyone in London is proud of this achievement. I know that City staff are certainly proud of it and thankful for the funding through the federal Gas Tax/Canada Community-Building Fund.”

AMO’s federal Canada Community-Building Fund Awards recognize the excellence in the use of the Fund, highlighting infrastructure projects that make a difference in our communities by addressing local needs, supporting long-term planning, and advancing national objectives.

Canadian municipalities receive more than $2 billion from the CCBF each year. Ontario’s share is more than $800 million. AMO administers the fund for all municipalities in Ontario, except for the City of Toronto. Funds are distributed on a per capita basis.

The Government of Canada provided a one-time top up to the CCBF in 2021, bringing Ontario’s total annual allocation to more than $1.6 billion. Note that in June 2021, the federal Gas Tax Fund was renamed the Canada Community-Building Fund.

AMO is a non-profit organization representing almost all of Ontario’s 444 municipal governments. AMO supports and enhances strong and effective municipal government in Ontario and promotes the value of municipal government as a vital and essential component of Ontario and Canada’s political system.