Energy
Equilibrium Green Home Project generates its own power.
Kamploops BC is home to one of the most energy-efficient homes in the world. The newly built 3,000 square foot home is so efficient, builders predict that annual energy costs will be zero. Using solar power technology, geothermal and hot water recovery, the home's green technologies cost an additional $100,000. It is expected that these costs will go down as green technology is more widely adopted.
Read article in Vancouver Sun here.
Community Energy Association releases its 2010 Funding and Resource Guide
The Community Energy Association has just released a guide providing information on over 60 funding programs and resources that provide financial and educational support to Bc local governments and climate change initiatives.
To access the guide click here.
2010 Energy & Climate Action Awards Competition
Reminder ... The August 20 application deadline for 2010 Energy and Climate Action Awards is fast approaching!
The Community Energy Association, in partnership with the Union of BC Municipalities, Province of British Columbia and BC Hydro, is pleased to invite all BC local governments to participate in the 2010 Energy & Climate Action Awards competition. The awards celebrate leadership shown by local governments taking action on climate change and sustainable energy and are offered annually to a municipality or regional district implementing a project or program that best integrates energy and climate action into community planning and development or corporate operations.
Past winners have come from all sizes of communities - leadership demonstrated to overcome challenges is an important judging criterion. Please download the electronic application from the Community Energy Association website at www.communityenergy.bc.ca. Applications must be submitted electronically to awards@communityenergy.bc.ca by 5pm Friday, August 20.
Winners will be announced at the end of the Cabinet Panel Session on Wednesday, September 29, 4:15 pm at the Union of BC Municipalities 2010 Convention in Whistler.
Three BC Municipalities Reject the Terms of the Canada EU Trade Agreement
The Canadian and European "Comprehensive and Economic Trade Agreement" (C.E.T.A.) is being carefully scrutinized by three BC Municiplaities. The cities of Burnaby, North Vancouver and Trail are asking the province and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) for a detailed analysis on the impact of the agreement on local purchasing policies and control over resources. A leaked document has shown that the agreement would eliminate local procurement policies of municipal and provincial governments and open Canada's drinking water systems to private water corporations.
If your city is interested in drafting a resolution on the trade agreement, please see the language adopted here http://www.canadians.org/tradeblog/?p=799.
Half a Million Ontario Homes to Get Solar, Wind Power
In an effort to replace coal power, Ontario is moving ahead with large-scale wind and solar projects. The province is aiming to power over half a million Ontario homes with clean energy. Read Globe and Mail story here.
Planning a Post-Carbon World:The City of North Vancouver and the 100 Year Plan
The City of North Vancouver's 100 Year Sustainability Vision represents perhaps the first attempt to use greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets to inform the long-term design of a city. The project was a collaborative partnership between the Design Centre for Sustainability at the University of British Columbia, known for advancing the science and application of sustainable community design strategies, and the City of North Vancouver, known for its deep and abiding commitment to urban sustainability.Read the rest of professor Patrick M. Condon's blog here:
Home-Energy Retrofit Program Suddenly Ends
The popular ecoENERGY Retrofit program that provides grants of up to $5,000 to Canadians who make their homes more energy efficient has come to an abrupt end. Read Globe and Mail article here:Homeowners who had already booked an appointment for a pre-retrofit evaluation before the Natural Resources Department announced the program's demise Wednesday remain eligible to apply for a grant. But no further bookings will be considered.
Tories Curtail Key Environment Provisions
Significant changes to anti-pollution rules tacked on to budget last month will result in more power to craft narrow environmental assessments on controversial projects. Read article here:Former Accenture Execs Score Big in BC Hydro Clean Power Call
Finavera's latest financial report, for the nine months ended on Sept. 30, 2009, shows the company's accumulated deficit climbing past $41 million. Furthermore, it looked to be burning through cash at the rate of nearly $120,000 each month, and had cash reserves of just $334,075.
Scotland to rule waves with £5 billion marine energy projects
The Scottish Government and the Crown Estate have announced ten schemes costing some £5 billion to be built off the Scottish coast.
They are expected to harness the area's fierce waters to generate up to 1.2 gigawatts (GW) of electricity and power up to 750,000 households.
