Castlegar City Council adopted the West Kootenay 100% Renewable Energy Plan at its Jan 18 meeting.
The Renewable Energy Plan is a collaboration with eight other West Kootenay local governments and West Kootenay EcoSociety. It represents a commitment to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2050 and recommended actions that can be taken at a local level to reduce GHG emissions and conserve energy.
The city has already committed to some of the recommended “Big Moves” through its recent participation in the Regional Energy Efficiency Program, implementation of BC Energy Step Code and on-going collaboration with the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) in curbside organics and resource recovery.
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Further action will be considered when the city discusses the Official Community Plan with the community and through the zoning bylaw and the completion of Phase 2 of the Columbia Avenue Redevelopment Project which enhances active transportation opportunities within the city.
“Castlegar continues to show leadership to make the community healthier, safer and stronger for their residents by adopting the renewable energy plan,” says Montana Burgess, Executive Director of West Kootenay EcoSociety, a proponent of the plan.
“Supporting the Castlegar council members, city staff, and residents to work together to develop this plan has been inspiring. I hope other similar cities across Canada follow Castlegar’s lead.”
Castlegar has identified potential actions for each Big Moves strategy, including:
• Develop an electric vehicle charging strategy
• Increase efficiency requirements for new buildings (Step Code)
• Adopt a voluntary standard for retrofitting older buildings
• Participate in regional organics composting
Rossland, Warfield and Kaslo have also adopted the renewable energy transition plan. New Denver, Silverton, Slocan, Nelson, and Regional District of Central Kootenay will be bringing the plan forward for adoption this year.
betsy.kline@castlegarnews.com
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