RenuWell cleans up at Emerald Awards

Posted on July 25, 2024 by Taber Times

By Heather Cameron
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

During a recent M.D. of Taber Council meeting, Deputy Reeve John DeGroot brought to Council’s attention that he, along with Councilor Murray Reynolds, and Manager of Municipal Lands and Leases Brian Peers, and Keith Hirsche, founder and president of RenuWell Energy Solutions were all invited to attend the 33rd Annual Emerald Awards on June 6 at the Calgary Central Library, where RenuWell Energy Solutions received an award in the Energy Category. 

“RenuWell Energy Solutions received an award in the Energy Category for their efforts in repurposing inactive oil and gas sites for small-scale solar photovoltaic installations,” said Marisa Orfei, Executive Director of the Alberta Emerald Foundation and a monthly donor.

Orfei says that The Emerald Awards were established to showcase and celebrate environmental excellence in Alberta.   

“Started in 1992, the Emerald Awards highlight and honor individuals, organizations, and projects demonstrating a commitment to protecting and preserving the environment through innovative and sustainable practices,” said Orfei. “Notably, the Emerald Awards are the only program in Canada to recognize environmental excellence across a diverse range of sectors, making the Emerald Awards unique in their inclusivity and impact.”

Over the years, Orfei says, the Emerald Awards have showcased nearly 400 recipients and 900 finalists who are raising the bar in addressing environmental and climate change issues.

RenuWell, Orfei says, submitted a first-party nomination after being encouraged to nominate from the AEF based on a suggestion by a community member, and after two days of deliberation, the panel of volunteer judges chose three nominations to be moved forward in the Energy Category, RenuWell being one of them. 

“One of our judges commented on their overall impression of the nomination during the review process “This is an incredible project that brings together an impressive cross-section of entities working together for a common purpose,” said Orfei. “The achievement of RenuWell serves as an exemplary model of how local actions can lead to significant positive impacts on the environment.” 

Hirsche expressed immense gratitude and pride upon receiving the award and acknowledged his team’s hard work and dedication, emphasizing the importance of continued environmental stewardship and sustainable development. Hirsche also expressed his gratitude for being part of this positive change in the province.

“I’m grateful for RenuWell’s achievement and I’m grateful to the M.D. of Taber for all the support that they’ve given us throughout this,” said Hirsche. “I ended up being second generation in the oil and gas industry. My dad operated fields on our farm in County of Warner and I went into the oil and gas industry as second generation and did a lot of work. I am actually responsible for some of the wells that are now abandoned and nonproducing in the M.D. of Taber, so where I had the opportunity to be a part of developing that part of the energy sector, I’m grateful that I also have the opportunity to be part of closing that loop and looking forward to the next generation’s energy.” 

Both Hirsche and the M.D. of Taber believe that this was truly a joint effort from many including the M.D. of Taber, the Province of Alberta, landowner associations, Irrigation Canal Power Co-operative Ltd., RenuWell Energy Solutions, Iron and Earth, Medicine Hat College, SkyFire Energy Inc., Canadian Solar Inc., Alberta Innovates, and Municipal Climate Change Action Centre.

“It could not have happened without this large collaborative effort,” said Hirsche. “I’m really excited to be in Alberta, to be from this place, and to be part of this change that we’re going through because there’s tremendous talent in this city, in this industry, and in this province. I benefitted from the legacy that Peter Lougheed created here and I’m glad to be part of the direction that we can go forward from here.”

Deputy Reeve DeGroot also praised Keith Hirsche and his team for everything they’ve done regarding the RenuWell Project.

“Hats off to Keith Hirsche and his team for everything they’ve done, and to Brian Peers and his staff along with anybody else in the M.D. of Taber who helped promote the project,” said Deputy Reeve DeGroot. “It’s a process that’s been eight years in the making. It’s a feather in the cap for the RenuWell Project and the M.D. as a whole.”

Deputy Reeve DeGroot invited anyone in the Council meeting who was interested in viewing the ceremony to watch it online at: https://emeraldfoundation.ca/33rd-annual-emerald-awards-celebrating-environmental-excellence/. 

“We are thrilled that the Municipal District of Taber received recognition for the RenuWell Project at the 33rd Annual Emerald Awards on June 6th at the Calgary Central Library,” said Carley Grant, Communications Coordinator for the M.D. of Taber. “The Emerald Awards showcase organizations, projects, and individuals from across Alberta who are leading the charge in addressing environmental and climate change issues, and we are incredibly honoured to be among them. Together, we are making a significant impact on environmental sustainability and paving the way for a greener future.”

For more information about the RenuWell Project and the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre, visit: https://www.mdtaber.ab.ca/p/renuwell-project. 

For more specific information about the RenuWell Project, visit http://www.renuwell.ca/index.html. 

For more information about Iron & Earth Inc. visit: https://www.ironandearth.org/renuwell. 

For more information about the Alberta Emerald Foundation and the Energy category visit: https://emeraldfoundation.ca/aef_awards/the-renuwell-project/.