HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCS-14-185 - Residential Energy Efficiency Program (REEP) Green Solutions - 2015 Funding Request
REPORT TO:Finance & Corporate Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: November 10, 2014
SUBMITTED BY: Environmental Committee
PREPARED BY: Dianna Saunderson, Committee Administrator, 519-741-2200
ext. 7277
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All
DATE OF REPORT: September 20, 2014
REPORT NO.: FCS-14-185
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
WATERLOO REGION GREEN SOLUTIONS (REEP) -
ANNUAL REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT
RECOMMENDATION:
That subject to the 2015 budget deliberations, $27,500. be alloc
Region Green Solutions, Residential Energy Efficiency Project (R
Environmental Committees 2015 Operating Budget.
BACKGROUND:
Founded in 1998, the Residential Energy Efficiency Project (REEP
tools for sustainable resource use, energy conservation and effi
applications through the facilitation of environmental programs
research and community partnerships. In early 2006, REEP became
of Waterloo Region Green Solutions (WRGS), a community-based non
organization that is funded by a combination of local partners,
client fees.
In addition to the funding provided through the Environmental Co
since 2002 Kitchener Utilities has contributed $60. towards the
evaluation conducted by REEP; and, $40. towards the follow-up vi
residents. The City has also provided REEP with the following L
(LEAF) grants: in 2009 to assist with costs related to the REEP
2011 for the Kitchener Home Energy Improvement Program; and, a f
RAIN Program, which was used to leverage funding from the Provin
REPORT:
At the September 14, 2014 Environmental Committee meeting, the C
request from REEP, for a grant of $27,500.; which would represen
contribution to the groups 2015 core operating budget. Ms. Mar
Director of REEP and Mr. Dave Blake, Business Development Manage
organizations achievements in 2013/2014 and their goals for 201
REEP continues to work towards healthier homes and sustainable c
to go beyond home energy evaluations into a broader environmenta
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com
munity need. Mr. Blake highlighted that REEP is engaged in the
REEP House for Sustainable Living; ClimateAction WR plan; RAIN:
stormwater management; Home Energy Efficiency; REEP Corporate Pa
help employees of organizations live more sustainably; and, the
geared towards energy poverty and electricity conservation.
The Committee was advised that annually REEPs funding comes fro
fees, contracts, local support, and grants (outlined in the char
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 %
2014 45% 12% 40% 1% 1%
Ms.
Patterson advised that with the Citys continued support, REEP
14,000 home energy audits since 1999, benefiting homeowners by:
energy bills; increasing home health and comfort; reducing their
increasing the value of their homes.
Mr. Blake stated that interest in sustainable living continues t
remain nimble in times of economic change. He stated that the Ci
vital to REEPs continued operation and serves to leverage fundi
services at a lower cost. Accordingly, the Environmental Commit
endorsement of the recommendation outlined herein.
A copy of REEPs funding request, their 2013-2014 Annual Report
budget have been attached as references.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Endorsing the Environmental Committees recommendation to alloca
Region Green Solutions, Residential Energy Efficiency Project (R
Strategic Plan by supporting the Citys commitment to conserve,
environment, which has been identified as a Community Priority.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The requested funding of $27,500. would represent the City of Ki
REEPs 2015 core budget. Starting in 2000, the City allocated a
the Environmental Committees Operating Budget. Over the past 1
has escalated to its current level, with a total of $295,000. be
this grant funding.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Inform - Through the September 18, 2014 Environmental Committee
Regional Green Solutions (REEP) grant funding request and annual
for review on the Citys website as of September 4, 2014.
Consult - At the September 18, 2014 Environmental Committee meet
those in attendance that any recommendation arising from the Com
at the November 10, 2014 Finance & Corporate Services Committee
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Dan Chapman, Deputy CAO
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Finance and Corporate Services Department
Ap
pendices:
Appendix A Funding Request
Ap
pendix B 5 Year Budget
Appendix C Annual Report
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Working together for healthier homes and sustainable communities
.
September 3, 2014
Environmental Advisory Committee
City of Kitchener
Dear Kitchener Environmental Advisory Committee Members,
We write with grateful thanks for your support , and to report on the community benefits that we are
achieving with your help. This letter is also our request for th
Our request is for $27,500 for 2015 the same amount that Kitchener has contributed for each of the l
Your contribution goes directly to operating costs for REEP, and
approximately $600,000.
Kitchener Support for REEP
REEPmodel is to remain nimble as an organization, operating with a m
as opportunities arise. We do this through a combination of:
a)funded public education and action, with REEP House as the focal
b)fee-for-service and contract work, in keeping with our strategic
support is vital in maintaining a small foundation of core fund
programs. We leverage your investment to bring programs and services to the community at a fraction of the cost.
Without this support we would not have the ability to pursue fun
Budget 2015-2016: Coming soon not yet approved by REEP Board of Directors.
Annual Report 2013-2014
We are pleased to share with you our Annual Report for 2013-2014at
.
http://reepgreen.ca/documents/annual_reports/annualreport2013-20 And we are proud to have the City of
ront page as a Core Funder of REEP. Together we have a great dea
environmental improvement to be proud of!
The Annual Report documents the results of our work together in
15-month period due to the change in our fiscal year. Here below a
looking ahead to 2015.
Phone: Email: Website:
519-744-9799 | info@reepgreen.ca | www.reepgreen.ca
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222 Frederick St., Kitchener, ON N2H 2M8
Program Highlights and Coming Attractions
RAIN: an ecological approach to stormwater management
Our focus in 2014 has shifted from residential to non-
Stormwater Utility for deeper engagement from the business and i
84 funded RAIN Home Visits have been completed in Kitchener, wit
o
30 of the 40 funded Business Visits have been completed to date a new service created by REEP;
o
3 new demonstration sites are coming, including stormwater used for making snow at Chicopee;
o
RAIN includes workshops and awards for businesses and residents
o
stormwater credit program to encourage uptake of the credits.
We look forward to continuing this valuable partnership with the
o
Home Assistance Program
2,600 audits for lower income households have been completed in since 2012!
This OPA/LDC program is strengthened locally through partnership
Now winding down at the end of 2014 with most social housing and
ClimateAction WR
implement thanks to the continued
leadership and collaboration between the Region of Waterloo, Cit
REEP Green Solutions, Sustainable Waterloo Region as well as Cam
Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro, and Waterloo North Hydro.
These local partners have committed $130,000, along with in-kind
the Climate Action Plan for Waterloo Region: Living Smarter in 2020.
Our Summer 2014 Progress Snapshot is attached, showing the sustainability progress being made in
community!
REEP House for Sustainable Living
REEP House has been certified LEED Platinum!
Solar Photovoltaics will arrive in September;
Visit our Virtual Tour of the REEP House at: www.reepgreen.ca/virtualtour/s LEAF;
9 student tours took place in April June of 2014;
Spring workshops for 2015 are in the planning stages;
3 workshops are lined up for Fall 2014:
Oct 29: Buying a New Home?
o
Nov 12: Better Basement Renos with Graham Whiting
o
Nov 26: Kitchen & Bathroom with Trent Bauman of Menno Martin Con
o
Home Energy Retrofits
23% of our energy evaluations are in Kitchener this year, an indication of continued interest on the part of
Ktichener residents, despite the fact that there is no incentive
The Kitchener Utiltiies contribution of $60 towards the cost of
Kitchener residents.
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REEP is piloting a for corporations to reach out to homeowners in their workplace;
12 corporations have indicated interest so far and the workshops
th
Anniversary Celebration: Tuesday, November 4, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
REEP turns 15 this year! Fourteen thousand homes and 23,000 tonn
we are celebrating the achievements of participants in our programs
them possible.
The event will bring together approximately 250 people including
members and elected officials to recognize our shared accomplish
work ahead. The Kitchener Environment Committee is cordially inv
A highlight of the evening will be awards for homeowners and bus
awards in the energy category and 6 stormwater awards - our way of saying thank you to citizen
leaders who are making our community more sustainable.
of KitchenerStrategic Priorities
2010-2014
-friendly activities by offering learning
City of Kitchener Official Plan, 6.6.1
Strategic Plan for the Environment
Focus Area 1, Natural Heritage System
Focus Area 2, Water Resources
nd hydrogeolocial functions within the city so as to ensure
Focus Area 3, Air Quality
Focus Area 4, Land Resource and Growth Management, Strategic Plan 2010-2014: Dynamic Downtown
Focus Area 5, Energy
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reducations in per capita energy consumption and to promote a su
tions in per capita energy consumption and to promote a sustaina
Focus Area 7, Environmental Education and Public Awareness
to promote an environmentally healthy lifestyle through the deve
environmental literacy, the implementation of effective monitori
Local Partners
Our support in 2015, with funding of $27,500, separate from any indi
program; it is part of the foundation on which we will build all
programs in 2015.
Local funding for REEP in 2014, and anticipated for 2015:
Region of Waterloo: $50,000
City of Kitchener: $27,500
City of Cambridge: $15,000
Waterloo North Hydro: $30,000
Total $122,500
Summary
As we navigate the ups and downs of federal and provincial suppo
more and more the consistent support of a few core funders that
giving REEP a foundation
to build on. In return, we can provide programs such as ClimateA
up this work on its own.
Our Mission at REEP is We are proud to be part of a
community that sees the importance of taking action on climate c
Kitchener city staff on climate change mitigation and adaptation
and all our programs.
work in Kitchener, and look forward to working together in 2015.
Yours truly,
Mary Jane Patterson
Executive Director
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