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3 Comments
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Re: seeking articles related to Community Energy Planning
2007-01-05 13:36:11 UTC
Tom,
The Region of Peel has just complete it's comprehensive energy management and conservation plan for the municipality. As a first note, these plans are particularly difficult, as they require much expertise in a variety of energy and environmental related fields. Moreover, in Ontario, because the province has now made it mandatory to have energy conservation plans vis--vis the Conservation Responsibility Act, 2006 (Bill 21), many municipalities are challenged with the task of figuring out just how to put together a complete and successful plan. While I'm afraid answering your question may be beyond the scope of one email, I will provide the following information. At Peel Region, we learned first hand how difficult it can be to prepare an energy plan. It's not only about building a comprehensive plan, but also cutting across departmental silos to get the strategy working. These are some of the reasons why we worked so hard to develop the Energy Matters conference (www.energymatterssummit.ca ), we felt it was the best way to get all municipalities together to share what they've done on comprehensive energy planning efforts. For three years different municipal governments have been sharing their ideas, a number have even started entire energy programs because of the event. This year, we're answering five key questions at the conference:
1) What are the core elements that should be a part of a municipal energy plan? Focusing on aspects of metering your energy use (you can't save what you don't measure), renewable energy, building green, communication/awareness, energy budgeting, etc... and how do they work together?
2) How do you build a business case for such an energy plan? Even the best plans can fail if they don't have a balanced financial case behind them. And because doing what's right for the environment is perceived as "too costly" - we want to dispel that myth.
3) How do you fund energy/environmental projects? It's not just about grants. If energy programs are at the whim of external funding, what happens when the tap runs dry. Sustainable funding models are key.
4) Climate Change and Energy Challenges. You're point energy security is perfect. Peak oil and the reduction of other fossil fuel supplies are certainly evident, municipal preparation for this is key. SustainLane in the US put out an incredible report on the 50 most sustainable cities in the US as well as the 50 cities most prepared for an oil crisis. Visit them online: http://www.sustainlane.us/overview.jsp, they'll also be at the conference.
5) Clean Transportation, because getting more efficient in our movement takes along time so planning efforts really need to start now. There are some really remarkable efforts from across the country that we've pulled together to share how they've improved urban transit. Calgary's ride the wind (LRT powered by renewable wind energy) is a great example.
Please feel to contact me, I would be glad to discuss this topic further.
steve saric
corporate energy
region of peel
10 peel centre drive
brampton, on
L6T 4B9
tel: 905.791.7800, x.4962
fax: 905.791.0564
peelenergy.ca -
Municipalities Learning about Sustainability
2006-11-30 12:23:53 UTC
At the Region of Peel we've come to learn how difficult it can be for municipalities to start successful energy conservation and sustainability programs. Local governments face a host a special issues ranging from financial challenges to a range of stakeholder input that can make sustainability planning extremely challenging. That said, we've work hard over the past two years to create a energy and environmental sustainability event called Energy Matters, it's the only summit created by municipalities for municipalities when it comes to sustainability. If any one has some exciting examples of municipalities taking the lead on energy sustainability, please let me know, I'm looking to showcase them - especially in sustainable transportation. If you're interested in the event, you can check it out online at www.energymatterssummit.ca. We're updating the agenda regularly.
Thanks,
steve saric
corporate energy
region of peel
10 peel centre drive
brampton, on L6T 4B9
tel: 905.791.7800, x.4962
fax: 905.791.0564
peelenergy.ca
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Re: Reducing Energy Consumption in Homes
2006-08-23 17:29:43 UTC
John,
Have a look at "20/20 the Way to Clean Air" program. It's a great energy conservation planner administered by a number of municipalities in Ontario, Canada. http://www.toronto.ca/health/2020/
Cheers,
Steve Saric
Corporate Energy Region of Peel
10 Peel Centre Drive
Brampton, ON L6T 4B9
Tel: 905.791.7800, x.4962
Fax: 905.791.0564
Visit Corporate Energy online at peelenergy.ca
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