HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRPS-08-152 - Environment Comm Rec: Community Renewable Energy Waterloo (CREW) Power Saving NetworkReport To: Councillor C. Weylie, Chair and Members of the Development
& Technical Services Committee
Date of Meeting: September 29, 2008
Submitted By: Environmental Committee
Prepared By: Colin Goodeve, Committee Administrator
Ward(s) Involved: All
Date of Report: September 12, 2008
Report No.: CRPS-08-152
Subject: ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
COMMUNITY RENEWABLE ENERGY WATERLOO (CREW}
POWER SAVING NETWORK
RECOMMENDATION:
That Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro be encouraged to support Community Renewable Energy
Waterloo (CREW) Power Saving Network as a means of promoting energy conservation.
BACKGROUND:
The purpose of the Community Environmental Improvement Grant ~CEIG} program is to
encourage residents to actively participate in environmental initiatives. At the June 19, 2008
Environmental Committee meeting, an update was provided on the progress of the projects that
received funding through the 2007 CEIG program. One of those groups was Community
Renewable Energy Waterloo SCREW}, who used the funding toward their Power Saving
Network initiative, which is a low cost, volunteer-spread educational program to reduce
electricity consumption. The Committee was informed that the grant was used to educate
residents on electricity conservation and to purchase electricity measuring toolkits, which
contain step-by-step instructions, electricity meters, demonstration items and informative fact
sheets. In addition, the Power Saving Network hosted `Energy-Aware' meetings at which
participants learned to identify where, when, and how electricity was being used in their home or
small business. It was noted that the toolkits can be used without modification by residents who
wish to conduct an audit of their electricity load as part of planning a renewable energy project.
The overall intent of the Power Saving Network initiative is to bring awareness and change to
the community's energy consumption habits.
REPORT:
At the June 19, 2008 Environmental Committee meeting, the Committee was advised that while
the CREW Power Saving Network started from the Residential Energy Efficiency Project
(KEEP} it is not affiliated with BEEP in terms of financing. In addition, most incentive programs
for home energy reduction projects are geared toward rebates for purchasing energy efficient
equipment and appliances that reduce a person's overall household energy usage. It was noted
that that CREW had previously approached the local utility companies and Kitchener-Wilmot
Hydro who expressed no interest in supporting this initiative.
Following a brief discussion, Ms. N. Sonder gave notice that she would introduce the following
motion regarding the CREW Power Saving Network at the September 11, 2008 Environmental
Committee meeting:
"That Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro be encouraged to support Community Renewable Energy
Waterloo (CREW) Power Saving Network as a means of promoting energy
conservation. "
At the September 11, 2008 Environmental Committee meeting, the Committee considered the
above motion and members expressed support for the Power Saving Network initiative.
Accordingly, the Environmental Committee is requesting Council's endorsement of the
recommendation outlined herein.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
N/A
Colin Goodeve
Committee Administrator