HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCS-13-150 - Residential Energy Efficiency Program (REEP) Green Solutions - 2014 Funding Request
REPORT TO:
Finance & Corporate Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
September 30, 2013
SUBMITTED BY:
Environmental Committee
PREPARED BY: Daphne Livingstone, Committee Administrator, 519-741-2200
ext. 7275
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All
DATE OF REPORT: September 20, 2013
REPORT NO.:
FCS-13-150
SUBJECT:
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
WATERLOO REGION GREEN SOLUTIONS (REEP) -
ANNUAL REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT
RECOMMENDATION:
That subject to the 2014 budget deliberations, $27,500. be allocated to the Waterloo
Region Green Solutions, Residential Energy Efficiency Project (REEP), as part of the
Environmental Committee’s 2014 Operating Budget.
BACKGROUND:
Founded in 1998, the Residential Energy Efficiency Project (REEP) provides residents with
tools for sustainable resource use, energy conservation and efficiency, and renewable energy
applications through the facilitation of environmental programs and services, public education,
research and community partnerships. In early 2006, REEP became incorporated as a project
of Waterloo Region Green Solutions (WRGS), a community-based non-profit environmental
organization that is funded by a combination of local partners, provincial contracts, grants and
client fees.
In addition to the funding provided through the Environmental Committee’s Operating Budget,
since 2002 Kitchener Utilities has contributed $60. towards the cost of each home energy
evaluation conducted by REEP; and, $40. towards the follow-up visit to reduce the cost to local
residents. The City has also provided REEP with the following Local Environment Action Fund
(LEAF) grants: in 2009 to assist with costs related to the REEP House for Sustainable Living; in
2011 for the Kitchener Home Energy Improvement Program; and, a further allocation for the
RAIN Program, which was used to leverage funding from the Provincial Government.
REPORT:
At the September 19, 2013 Environmental Committee meeting, the Committee considered a
request from REEP, for a grant of $27,500.; which would represent the City of Kitchener’s
contribution to the group’s 2014 core operating budget. Ms. Mary Jane Patterson, Executive
Director of REEP and Mr. Dave Blake, Business Development Manager, reviewed the
organization’s achievements in 2012/2013 and their goals for 2014. Ms. Patterson stated that
REEP continues to work towards healthier homes and sustainable communities, with a mandate
to go beyond home energy evaluations into a broader environmental programming based on
community need. Mr. Blake highlighted that REEP is engaged in the following programs:
REEP House for Sustainable Living; ClimateAction WR plan; RAIN: an ecological approach to
stormwater management; Home Energy Efficiency; REEP Corporate Partnership Program to
help employees of organizations live more sustainably; and, the Home Assistance Program
geared towards energy poverty and electricity conservation.
The Committee was advised that as Federal and Provincial financial incentives for home energy
retrofits has been eliminated, REEP is examining Community Scale Retrofts (CSRs) and Local
Improvement Charge (LIC) financing. Ms. Patterson elaborated on the programs indicating that
the twin programs of CSR & LIC would motivate residents to upgrade their homes on a
neighbourhood-wide basis with low cost financing available through Local Improvement
Charges. She noted that REEP is examining the launch of a pilot program in 2014 with other
local area municipalities.
The Committee was advised that annually REEP’s funding comes from a combination of client
fees, contracts, local support, and grants (outlined in the chart below):
Fees for Service Local Provincial Federal Other
2010
53% 16% 13% 11% 7%
2011
51% 24% 19% 1% 6%
2012
26% 25% 45% 2% 1½ %
2013
31% 17% 51% 1% ½ %
Ms. Patterson advised that with the City’s continued support, REEP has been able to provide
home energy audits from 1999-2012, benefiting homeowners by: saving money on their energy
bills; increasing home health and comfort; reducing their environmental impacts; and, increasing
the value of their homes. The benefits to the community equals: 23,767 tonnes of CO2
emissions; $5.8 million in energy savings; $15 million in grants received; and, $40.1 million in
local spending.
The following are the ecoENERGY results from 2011, 2012 and the cumulative results for the
program:
City of Kitchener 2011 2012 1999-2012
Initial evaluations 7379714,069
Follow-up evaluations 1,1655627,817
ecoENERGY grants $2,621,253$1,261,870$14,985,884
Energy savings $864,750$421,500$5,817,750
Local economic stimulus$6,918,000$3,372,000$40,914,000
CO2 reduced, tonnes 3,782 1,843 23,767
Assumptions as per Natural Resources Canada:
- 3.28 average CO2 savings per house (tonnes per annum)
- $6,000 average homeowner spending per house (estimated)
- $700 in energy savings per retrofitted home
Mr. Blake stated that interest in sustainable living continues to increase and REEP strives to
remain nimble in times of economic change. He stated that the City of Kitchener’s support is
vital to REEP’s continued operation and serves to leverage funding to provide programs and
services at a lower cost. Accordingly, the Environmental Committee is requesting Council’s
endorsement of the recommendation outlined herein.
A copy of REEP’s funding request, their 2012 Annual Report and their estimated 2014 budget
have been attached as references.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Endorsing the Environmental Committee’s recommendation to allocated funding to Waterloo
Region Green Solutions, Residential Energy Efficiency Project (REEP) would align with the
Strategic Plan by supporting the City’s commitment to conserve, protect and improve the
environment, which has been identified as a Community Priority.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The requested funding of $27,500. would represent the City of Kitchener’s contribution to
REEP’s 2014 core budget. Starting in 2000, the City allocated a $5,000. grant to REEP through
the Environmental Committee’s Operating Budget. Over the past 13 years the grant amount
has escalated to its current level, with a total of $267,500. being provided since the inception of
this grant funding.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
CONSULT - Through the September 19, 2013 Environmental Committee agenda, the Waterloo
Regional Green Solutions (REEP) grant funding request and annual report were made available
for review on the City’s website as of September 9, 2013.
At the September 19, 2013 Environmental Committee meeting, the Chair informed all those in
attendance that any recommendation arising from the Committee would be considered at the
September 30, 2013 Planning & Strategic Initiatives Committee meeting.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Dan Chapman, Deputy CAO, Finance & Corporate Services