Blackfalds, Alberta (November 27) – In an effort to achieve one of the Town’s Environmental Stewardship Strategy goals, Blackfalds Council has signed a Letter of Intent to send all municipal waste from the landfill to the Varme Energy project in Innisfail, where they will process the waste and convert it into emissions-free heat and power. 

Varme Energy expressed its desire to collaborate with Blackfalds by obtaining various waste streams, including household organics and solid waste. Varme Energy has advised that the feasibility of funding the Innisfail waste-to-energy site depends on having enough municipalities to provide enough waste feed.

The Town of Blackfalds currently pays solid waste disposal rates to the City of Red Deer Waste Management Facility, which Varme Energy has committed to honour. 

Infrastructure Services Manager Laura Thevenaz said she is excited about the partnership with Varme and looks forward to its positive environmental impact on Blackfalds.

“It’s exciting to know that a waste-to-energy alternative to traditional landfill solid waste disposal may soon become a reality in Central Alberta. With Varme’s proposed new facility in Innisfail being close to Blackfalds, entering into a Letter of Intent is an important step forward for the Blackfalds community in meeting its goal of increased environmental stewardship,” explained Thevenaz. "The traditional waste disposal and recycling landscaping within Alberta is changing, so it’s an interesting and important time for municipalities to find opportunities to improve on existing practices.”

In 2022, the Town of Blackfalds produced approximately 3630 tons of waste materials that were disposed of in landfills. 

Chief Administrative Officer Kim Isaak was proud to sign the letter of intent, moving the partnership forward.

 “The Town of Blackfalds is pleased to enter into this Letter of Intent with Varme Energy. Increasing waste diversion from landfills is a key goal defined within our Environmental Stewardship Strategy. We believe that supporting this new initiative in Central Alberta is an important step forward to create a growing, sustainable community committed to environmental stewardship,” said Isaak. “I commend Director Weran and Manager Thevenaz for working with Varme representatives on this initiative.”

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