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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-04-15ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 15, 2010 CITY OF KITCHENER The Environmental Committee met this date commencing at 4:09 p. m. Present: Mr. B. McColl -Chair Ms. J. Young, Ms. M. Thomson Howell and Messrs. D. Ryrie, C. Schneider and G. Zador. Staff: C. Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner D. Schmitt, Environmental/Urban Forest Project Manager J. Shea, Natural Areas Coordinator D. Saunderson, Administrative Clerk C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator RESIDENTIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECT (REEP) -CANCELLATION OF THE FEDERAL ECOENERGY RETROFIT -HOMES PROGRAM The Committee was in receipt this date of correspondence from Ms. Mary Jane Patterson, Executive Director of the Residential Energy Efficiency Project (REEP), dated April 12, 2010 requesting the City's endorsement of a resolution in response to the Federal government's cancellation of the ecoENERGY Retrofit -Homes program. Ms. Patterson advised that without any warning, Natural Resources Canada announced that as of March 31, 2010 no new homeowners would be admitted into the Federal ecoENERGY Retrofit -Homes program. This is despite the fact that less than 10 percent of the homes in need of these upgrades in Canada have been assessed through this program. She noted that the matching grants offered by the Government of Ontario may still be available, but anyone who has not already booked an initial home energy evaluation is no longer eligible to participate in the Federal ecoENERGY grant program. Ms. Patterson stated that this is not the first time the Federal government has cancelled their home energy evaluation program without advanced warning. On May 13, 2006, REEP was notified that, effective that date, they were not to perform any further "EnerGuide for Houses" initial evaluations, as the Federal government had ceased funding for that program. However, through pressure applied by local municipalities, such as Kitchener, the Government of Canada reinstated the "EnerGuide for Houses" home energy evaluations, in the form of the ecoENERGY Retrofit -Homes program. She further advised that REEP would continue to offer home energy evaluations along with other services including solar assessments. She noted that homeowners who had already registered for the ecoENERGY program by booking or completing a home energy evaluation still have the opportunity to apply for, and receive, an ecoENERGY grant by March 31, 2011. In response to questions, Ms. Patterson advised that since 2008, the Ontario Home Energy Savings program has matched Federal ecoENERGY grants, providing a maximum grant of $10,000. per household. She stated that the provincial portion of up to $5,000. per household may still be available to homeowners who book an energy evaluation after March 31, 2010; however, the Province administered its grants through the Federal program. She noted that REEP is in the process of investigating whether the provincial grants would still be provided and agreed to update the Committee as additional information becomes available. She stated that REEP is one of many non-profit organizations under the umbrella of Green Communities Canada through which collective pressure is being applied to reinstate the ecoENERGY grants. Ms. Patterson noted that she has already met with local Members of Parliament and sent letters to the Premier and Prime Minister regarding this matter. Members expressed support to request Council to urge the Federal government to restore funding for this highly successful program, and the Provincial government to continue its incentives, so that additional gains can be made in the CO2 reductions already achieved. Mr. G. Zador suggested, and it was agreed, to remove the reference to REEP from the proposed resolution, so not to exclude the other organizations affected by the cancellation of the Federal ecoENERGY Retrofit -Homes program. It was noted that any recommendation arising from this matter would be considered at the April 26, 2010 Development and Technical Services Committee meeting. Ms. Patterson agreed to attend the April 26, 2010 meeting to respond to questions from the Committee. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 15, 2010 - 11 - CITY OF KITCHENER RESIDENTIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECT CREEP) -CANCELLATION OF THE FEDERAL ECOENERGY RETROFIT -HOMES PROGRAM (CONT'D) On motion by Mr. C. Schneider - itwas resolved: "WHEREAS Canadians are increasingly concerned about the impacts of global climate change, and calling on their governments at all levels to take leadership on this issue by implementing comprehensive and lasting strategies to mitigate climate change and reduce emissions; and, WHEREAS the Federal government unexpectedly announced that it was cancelling new participation in the "ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes service", with local estimates indicating that participants in Waterloo Region have: retrofitted over 4,000 homes for energy efficiency; reduced 10,000 tonnes of CO2 annually; saved over $2M on their energy bills; received combined Federal and Provincial incentives of over $6M; and, stimulated the local economy by over $20M by retrofitting their homes; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Kitchener urge the Federal government to immediately restore funding for this highly successful program so that additional gains can be made in the CO2 reductions already achieved; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this motion be circulated to the Prime Minister, the Ministers of Finance, Natural Resources, and the Environment, local Members of Parliament, as well as the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for consideration as a resolution of its own; and, BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Premier of Ontario, the Ontario Ministers of Energy and Infrastructure, and the Environment, as well as local Members of Provincial Parliament, be urged to maintain Provincial funding and incentives to assist in the continuation of this valuable initiative." 2. PRESENTATION -KITCHENER NATURAL AREAS PROGRAM (KNAP) Mr. J. Shea advised that the goals of the Kitchener's Natural Areas Program (KNAP) are to: engage the community in stewardship projects, educate people about Kitchener's natural areas and create opportunities for people to experience nature in the City. In addition, Kitchener has more than 850 hectares of natural area, ranging in size from 1 hectare to areas greater than 50 hectares. He stated that stewardship activities provide opportunities for individuals, groups, and schools to become actively involved in conserving Kitchener's natural areas. He reviewed some of the projects they have undertaken, noting that they vary from one-hour sessions, to long-term endeavours. He outlined the following examples of their stewardship activities: • Natural Area \ Creek Cleanups; • Ecological Restoration Projects \ Ecological Monitoring; • Tree Planting; and, • Natural Area Stewards. In response to questions, Mr. Shea advised that in its first two years the Program has created more than 6,000 stewardship and education hours, and made contact with 2,250 people in the community. He encouraged everyone to attend KNAP's Annual Earth Day Celebration held each spring at the Huron Natural Area, noting that it is a great community event with lots of activities for the entire family. In addition, he agreed to provide the Committee with a list of KNAP's upcoming events. 3. REQUEST FOR SUPPORT -ONTARIO CLEAN AIR ALLIANCE - PETITION THE ONTARIO GOVERNMENT TO PHASE-OUT THE USE OF COAL The Committee considered an information package from the Ontario Clean Air Alliance, dated March 2010 regarding the phase-out of coal-fired power generation in Ontario. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 15, 2010 - 12 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. REQUEST FOR SUPPORT -ONTARIO CLEAN AIR ALLIANCE - PETITION THE ONTARIO GOVERNMENT TO PHASE-OUT THE USE OF COAL (CONT'D) Mr. Jack Gibbons, Ontario Clean Air Alliance addressed the Committee requesting support for his organization's campaign to phase-out the use of coal-fired power generation in Ontario four years ahead of the Premier's legally binding phase-out date. He advised that the need to produce coal-fired electricity is negligible and no longer profitable, thereby negating the reasons to maintain these plants until the required 2014 phase-out date. He indicated that the Ontario Power Generation currently receives a $412 million subsidy to compensate it for operating at a loss, notwithstanding that the Province's coal-free electricity generation already exceeds the daily peak demands by 23%. He added that this form of power generation is one of the largest producers of greenhouse gas emission in North America and ceasing its use would equate to taking almost seven million cars off the road. In response to questions, Mr. Gibbons advised that in 2007 the Government of Ontario issued a legally binding regulation requiring the cessation of coal burning electricity generated at Ontario's four remaining coal-fired power plants by December 31, 2014. In addition, the Ontario Power Authority has identified a need to retain some coal generation on standby reserve until that time; and, the Independent Electricity System Operator have stated that one or more of the Nanticoke units may need to be operated at minimum output from time-to-time to provide grid stability. He noted that a majority of the power generated from coal in Ontario is sold to New York State and does not benefit the people of this Province. Accordingly, he is requesting the support of various municipalities to urge the Premier to immediately place Ontario's remaining coal-fired plants on standby reserve. He commented that Kitchener is the first municipality that his organization has approached with this request. Members expressed general support for the request from the Ontario Clean Air Alliance to immediately place the Province's coal-fired generation plants on standby reserve, to only be operated if absolutely necessary to meet the electricity demands of the people of Ontario. Mr. Gibbons agreed to attend the May 10, 2010 Development and Technical Services Department meeting to respond to questions from the Committee. On motion by Mr. G. Zador - itwas resolved: "That the Premier of Ontario be urged to direct Ontario Power Generation to put its coal- fired electricity generating plants immediately on standby reserve, only to be operated if absolutely necessary to meet the electricity needs of Ontario." 4. DRAFT MASTER LIST OF 2010 BEST BETS The Committee was in receipt this date of the draft 2010 Air Quality in Kitchener report, containing potential recommended action items put forward at the January, February and March 2010 meetings. In addition, the Committee was in receipt this date of a chart entitled "2010 Proposed Best Bets", which contains the members' rankings of all of the potential action items. Ms. C. Musselman provided an overview of the circulated materials, advising that the first column of the report represents what is being recommended as a "Best Bet" and the second column contains the corresponding action item(s). She noted, as an example, draft "Best Bet 1.2 -Enhance Green Space Management", which has an associated action item calling for the provision of incentives to promote community gardens, plant trees for roadside management and naturalize as an alternative to augmentation of tree planting. She proposed that a Sub- committee be formed to assist with identifying associated action items for each of the proposed "Best Bets". Members reviewed the draft report and provided the following comments /suggestions: • to enhance the clarity of the document the action items should be listed as bullet points; • the headers for each column should be continued on each page; ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 15, 2010 - 13 - CITY OF KITCHENER 4. DRAFT MASTER LIST OF 2010 BEST BETS (CONT'D) • add a third column to justify the importance of the proposed "Best Bet"; and, • include a preamble to the report explaining how each of the items listed under the seven functional areas relates to air quality. Mr. B. McColl advised that several members who were unable to attend today's meeting had previously indicated an interest in taking part in aSub-Committee to facilitate updating the Air Quality in Kitchener report. He suggested, and it was agreed, that Ms. Musselman would send out a revised version of the draft report via email to all members and select aSub-Committee based on the responses she receives. On motion by Mr. C. Schneider - itwas resolved: "That the 2010 Air Quality Best Bet Sub-Committee be established to assist with finalizing the 2010 Air Quality in Kitchener report." 5. ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at 6:09 p. m. D. Saunderson C. Goodeve Administrative Clerk Committee Administrator