The existing Community energy and emission plan was first introduced back in 2008, however owing to a number of factors progress has been slow on the agenda. Among some of the roadblocks for the plan has been the financial strain on the City over the last eight years, where limitations on their discretionary spending have seen a number of their goals yet to be achieved.
As they return their focus towards the targets, City staff members have taken part in a workshop process with representatives of the Community Energy Association of BC.
From their work the group reviewed the actions that the City has taken so far, as well as the initiatives currently underway as they look to develop an updated list of realistic short term actions that the city can take to improve their work on the emission of Green House Gases.
As well, the working group reviewed the approach that they will take to continue to work within the constraints of the city's financial situation over the next five years.
The Emission plan is designed to bring reductions to the city's GHG footprint; as of 2016 Prince Rupert's Green House Gas emissions were 1 per cent higher than they were in 2007, leaving the city at 16 percent higher than their established target reductions.
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| A working group reviewing the city's Energy and Emission plan gathered at City Hall in November to review the City's progress towards reduction of Green House Gas emissions (photo from City report on Energy and emission planning) |
Those working on the Prince Rupert project, currently led by Hans Seidemann the City's Manager for Community Development have compiled a Sixty seven page report, broken down into eight categories for further study.
The eight categories make for the City's Action plan, which offers up suggestions where the city can take action to meet their goals or work towards them. Some of the findings, such as the introduction of LED streetlights have already been made part of the city's infrastructure.
Among the areas for review
1 Buildings Basics
1.1 Promote electricity, natural gas and other efficiency programs
1.2 District energy/renewable energy systems
1.3 Building code energy efficiency
2 Buildings High-Growth Measures
2.2 Create rezoning policy to achieve desired energy performance
2.4 Density bonus for energy performance
2.9 Development Permit Area - to enhance energy performance
2.11 Energy Step Code
3 Residential Buildings
3.3 Education for Realtors - energy efficiency and renewable energy
3.4 Comprehensive energy efficiency retrofit campaign
3.5 voluntary or mandatory energy labelling of existing or new homes
4 Commercial/Institutional Buildings and Transportation
4.2 encourage biomass heating through education or leading by example
5 Transportation Urban Form
5.2 Land use suite 'enhanced'
5.3 Street design
5.4 Implement 30 km/hr speed limit in parts of the community
5.5 Variable DCC's to encourage infil development
5.6 Flow RGS, OCP, and local are plans through to zoning
6 Transportation Infrastructure and Collaboration
6.1 Active transportation planning
6.2 Improve active transportation infrastructure
6.3 Anti-idling campaign/bylaw
6.4 Special event planning
6.5 Collaborate with major employers on work-related programs
6.8 Support car share cooperatives
6.9 Raising awareness of rid sharing and guaranteed ride home programs
6.10 Low carbon and electric vehicle fuelling/charging stations
6.11 Electric vehicle and e-bike awareness event
6.12 Natural gas vehicle collaboration
7 Waste and other
7.1 Organics diversion
7.3 Support local food production, e.g. farmers markets, community gardens
8 Enabling Actions
8.1 Review land used and transportation plans/policies for SCEEP incorporation
8.3 Establish a regional energy co-operative
New Action - Green Marine Program - write letter of support for Port Authority
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| The City of Prince Rupert's Working Group Action plan for their Community Energy and Emissions ambitions for 2017 (click to enlarge) |
You can review the entire document starting at page 63 of tonight's City Council agenda package.
Council will be offered two options to consider tonight when it comes what to do with the work of city staff on the topic. The first to proceed as per staff recommendations from the report or the second to receive the report for information purposes.
For more items related to tonight's City Council Session see our Council Preview page here.
Further items related to discussion points from Prince Rupert City Council can be found on our Council Discussion archive page here.
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