HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCS-12-087 - Agreement - Home Assistance Progr
REPORT TO:
Committee of the Whole
DATE OF MEETING:
April 23, 2012
SUBMITTED BY:
Lesley MacDonald, City Solicitor and Director of Legal
Services, (519)741-2267
PREPARED BY:
Lesley MacDonald, City Solicitor and Director of Legal
Services, (519)741-2267
WARD(S) INVOLVED:
N/A
DATE OF REPORT:
April 20, 2012
REPORT NO.:
FCS-12-087
SUBJECT:
AUTHORIZATION TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH
THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT CENTRE (TORONTO) -
KITCHENER UTILITIES - ENERGY EFFICIENT INITIATIVE
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement with The Urban
Environment Centre (Toronto) pertaining to Kitchener Utilities’ involvement in an energy
efficient initiative known as the Home Assistance Program; said agreement is to be to the
satisfaction of the City Solicitor.
BACKGROUND:
Kitchener Utilities and Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro have entered into a partnership arrangement for the
purposes of delivering the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) saveONenergy Home Assistance program
within the City of Kitchener. The objective of this program is to provide home energy audits and free
installation of energy efficiency measures that will increase the overall efficiency of the home and reduce
the carbon footprint. To qualify for the program, the applicants must be within a fixed low income bracket
or who is living in assisted/co-op housing.
REPORT:
The Urban Environment Centre (Toronto) has been selected through an RFP process with KW Hydro and
others for the purpose of administering the program and they will be working with the Region of Waterloo
Social Services and Ontario Housing to qualify candidates for the program.
Home energy audits offer a significant opportunity for cost synergy because the potential for both natural
gas, water and electric savings can be assessed in the same visit. Home energy audits for low-income
customers that are implemented on a community basis provide a unique opportunity for cooperation
between natural gas and electric utilities to capture synergies in communications and delivery of
programs. The program will also reduce customer confusion, increase customer participation and reduce
delivery costs. For those applicants whose home's are primarily heated electrically, Kitchener-Wilmot
Hydro will perform the entire audit process. However, if the home is heated with natural gas, Kitchener
Utilities will incur the cost of the gas and water portion of the audit as well as the cost of installation of the
gas and water saving devices which include low flow shower aerator, kitchen and bathroom faucet
aerators, toilet tablets and pipe wrapping for the water heater.
Although the intent of the Ontario Power Authority's saveONenergy Home Assistance program is to
provide energy efficiencies related to the electric side, we feel it is important to the customer and resident
of the City of Kitchener to offer an audit program and installation of energy efficiency measures that relate
to natural gas, water and electricity.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Not applicable.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
$50,000 from the Demand Side Management budget
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Not applicable.
CONCLUSION:
Staff have reviewed this agreement and are satisfied that it meets the intent of the program and
therefore seek the execution of the agreement.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Pauline Houston, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Infrastructure
Services
REPORT TO:
Committee of the Whole
DATE OF MEETING:
April 23, 2012
SUBMITTED BY:
Lesley MacDonald, City Solicitor and Director of Legal
Services, (519)741-2267
PREPARED BY:
Lesley MacDonald, City Solicitor and Director of Legal
Services, (519)741-2267
WARD(S) INVOLVED:
N/A
DATE OF REPORT:
April 20, 2012
REPORT NO.:
FCS-12-087
SUBJECT:
AUTHORIZATION TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH
THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT CENTRE (TORONTO) -
KITCHENER UTILITIES - ENERGY EFFICIENT INITIATIVE
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement with The Urban
Environment Centre (Toronto) pertaining to Kitchener Utilities’ involvement in an energy
efficient initiative known as the Home Assistance Program; said agreement is to be to the
satisfaction of the City Solicitor.
BACKGROUND:
Kitchener Utilities and Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro have entered into a partnership arrangement for the
purposes of delivering the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) saveONenergy Home Assistance program
within the City of Kitchener. The objective of this program is to provide home energy audits and free
installation of energy efficiency measures that will increase the overall efficiency of the home and reduce
the carbon footprint. To qualify for the program, the applicants must be within a fixed low income bracket
or who is living in assisted/co-op housing.
REPORT:
The Urban Environment Centre (Toronto) has been selected through an RFP process with KW Hydro and
others for the purpose of administering the program and they will be working with the Region of Waterloo
Social Services and Ontario Housing to qualify candidates for the program.
Home energy audits offer a significant opportunity for cost synergy because the potential for both natural
gas, water and electric savings can be assessed in the same visit. Home energy audits for low-income
customers that are implemented on a community basis provide a unique opportunity for cooperation
between natural gas and electric utilities to capture synergies in communications and delivery of
programs. The program will also reduce customer confusion, increase customer participation and reduce
delivery costs. For those applicants whose home's are primarily heated electrically, Kitchener-Wilmot
Hydro will perform the entire audit process. However, if the home is heated with natural gas, Kitchener
Utilities will incur the cost of the gas and water portion of the audit as well as the cost of installation of the
gas and water saving devices which include low flow shower aerator, kitchen and bathroom faucet
aerators, toilet tablets and pipe wrapping for the water heater.
Although the intent of the Ontario Power Authority's saveONenergy Home Assistance program is to
provide energy efficiencies related to the electric side, we feel it is important to the customer and resident
of the City of Kitchener to offer an audit program and installation of energy efficiency measures that relate
to natural gas, water and electricity.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Not applicable.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
$50,000 from the Demand Side Management budget
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Not applicable.
CONCLUSION:
Staff have reviewed this agreement and are satisfied that it meets the intent of the program and
therefore seek the execution of the agreement.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Pauline Houston, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Infrastructure
Services