HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-06-15 - Climate Change and Environment Committee Minutes
CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES
June 15, 2023 - 1 - CITY OF KITCHENER
200 King Street W.
nd
2 Floor, Berlin Tower, HR Learning Room
Kitchener ON N2G 4G7
Present: K. Bockasten, J. Clary-Lemon, B. Kurczak, B. Wallis, K. Loveless, Cllr. A. Clancy, Cllr. S.
Davey, M. Garner, V. Nhio-son, G. Johannesson, M. Shafii, F. Tohidi
Regrets: B. Unrau
Staff:
A. M. Cipriani, Corporate Sustainability Officer
C. Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner
G. St. Louis, Director, Gas and Water Utilities
K. Daley, Senior Strategist Carbon, and Energy Planning
S. Lodenquai, Committee Administrator
COMMENCEMENT
The Climate Change and Environment Committee began this date at 4:05 p.m. with a Land
Acknowledgement given by the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTERESTS
None.
DELEGATIONS
None.
1. KITCHENER UTILITES CLEAN ENERGY TRANSITION STRATEGY PROJECT
K. Daley led a presentation on the Kitchener Utilities Clean Energy Transition Strategy. A brief overview
of the Kitchener Utilities’ Services was provided. This was followed by a recap of the Federal commitment
to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, Kitchener’s commitments expressed in the TransformWR
strategy and a summary of City of Kitchener community energy emissions as of 2020.
The presentation included an explanation of the project outline including the 3 main phases of Kitchener
Utilities Clean Energy Transition Strategy and the possible pathways to achieve a net-zero future. K.
Daley posed the following discussion questions to committee members for consideration:
1. What excites you about these changes in our energy systems? What possibilities do they raise?
2. What worries you about these changes to our energy systems? What potential barriers or challenges
do you see that need to be overcome?
3. At this stage, what considerations are most important to you in identifying and evaluating possible
paths forward for Kitchener Utilities as an energy utility? What goals and values should be prioritized
in evaluating those options in future project phases?
The presentation was followed by general discussion and clarifying questions. G. St. Louis added that
as the energy shift is evolving, incentives could be introduced to convert homeowners to a new energy
system.
Committee members were encouraged to share thoughts and feedback after the meeting with K. Daley
and G. St. Louis directly.
2. CLIMATE CHANGE & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE WORK PLAN DISCUSSION
C. Musselman reviewed the history and purpose of the Climate Change and Environment committee
work plan with the committee and reminded members of the shared document for outlining the scope of
the work plan.
B. Wallis led the committee through a brainstorming exercise for the purpose of identifying the
committee’s main goals and priorities.
Topics that were tabled were:
- Active transportation and lowering transportation emissions; more pedestrians
- Green Buildings and Requests for Proposals; incentives
- District Energy
CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES
June 15, 2022 - 2 - CITY OF KITCHENER
Committee members agreed they would like to learn more about the Active Transportation and Trails
Advisory Committee and opportunities for alignment or gap coverage. Cllr. A. Clancy agreed to connect
with the Active Transportation and Trails advisory committee administrator to have this discussion.
3. SUB-COMMITTEE – TRANSPORTATION/BUILDINGS/DISTRICT ENERGY
In follow up to the work plan discussion, committee members proposed creating three sub-committees to
focus on the topics discussed.
On motion by K. Bockasten –
It was resolved:
“That the Climate Change and Environment Committee supports separate sub-committees
for work on Transportation, Building and District Energy, Funding the Transformation
respectively.”
Carried, unanimous
Committee members joined the sub-committees that they were most interested in, ensuring quorum will not
be met.
An opportunity for updates on the work plan will be added as a standing agenda item to future meetings so
that sub-committees can share with the broader committee at regular intervals.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
Shannon Lodenquai
Committee Administrator