Centre for Civic Governance

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.

Green Builders Consider the Benefits of Green Roofs, White Roofs

Green builders are currently examing the environmental benefits of different roofing systems, focusing much of their research on white roofs and green roofs. While green roofs are expensive, test sites in New York City have shown that green roofs are very effective at reducing the urban heat island effect, absorbing stormwater and keeping buildings cool in summer and warm in winter. Read more here.

Green Infrastructure Better for Stormwater Control

Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago have concluded that green infrastructure is better suited to deal with storm water runoff that the traditional use of curbs and gutters, detention ponds and storm sewers. Green infrastructure incorporates permeable pavement, green roofs and constructed wetlands to reduce the flow of pollutants into sewers and ultimately into rivers, streams, oceans and lakes.

Read more here.

A Tale of Three CIties

Recent study by the Neptis Foundation studies three very different trends in city planning and growth. The study examines Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary. Read Globe and Mail article here.

Vancouver to go on a Road Diet

In an effort to boost cycling as a mode of transportation from 3.7 percent to 10% the city of Vancouver is allocating $25 million dollars towards a two year plan, that will include a reduction in road space for cars. The City has already converted a lane of traffic from the both the Burrard Street Bridge and the Georgia Viaduct to cycling lanes, with very little fuss. Drivers have adjusted to these changes easily.

City's first Rooftop Farm will Supply Food to Downtown Eastside Residents

A parkade rooftop in the Downtown Eastside is about to become the city's first urban rooftop farm. Food grown at the farm will be sold to local residents as well as distributed to local inner city agencies and kitchen. The managers of the project expect to hire 25 part-time workers from the community. Read the full story in the Vancouver Sun here.

Surrey Aims to Create 'Clean Energy Hub’

Mayor Diane Watts has just announced a list of incentives designed to attract green businesses to Surrey BC, including a " three-year property-tax holiday, a 50-per-cent fee reduction and, for demonstration projects, free city land." Read Globe and Mail article here.

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.