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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO-08-07 ClwJl1gton REPORT CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Report #: CAO-08-07 File: R~)~~6Yl *~fA-345~D7 By-law #: Date: Monday, May 7,2007 Subject: GREATER TORONTO CLEAN AIR COUNCIL RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1 . THAT Report CAO-08-07 be received; 2. THAT the Municipality continue their involvement with the Greater Toronto Clean Air Council. o~ UL Submitted by: Franklin Wu Chief Administrative Officer CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L 1C 3A6 T (905)623-3379 F (905)623-5717 REPORT NO.: CAO-08-07 PAGE 2 1. BACKGROUND 1.1 The Municipality of Clarington became a member of the GT A Clean Air Council (CAC) in June of 2003 (Attachment 1). Since that time the Municipality has participated in the annual Smog Summit (June 7, 2007) and benefited from the best practices information, and presentations that are made at the GT A CAC meetings and Smog Summit. 1.2 For the past 4 years the representative to the GT A CAC has been the Manager of Special Projects who receives and distributes information to other members of staff, provides ongoing liaison to the CAC and advise Council, by memo, on an annual basis of the Inter-governmental Declaration and Clarington's activities. The Municipality has signed the Declaration on an annual basis like all of the other member Municipalities. 1.3 The Municipal Website is linked to the GT A CAC website and vice versa. The information that Clarington has provided to the GT A CAC is published in the proceedings of the Smog Summit on an annual basis. Attachment 2 is the information on our website. Attachment 3 is a sample of information provided by Clarington. 2.0 COMMENTS 2.1 Being a member of the GTA CAC has been useful to the Municipality as it provides an ongoing connection to initiatives that are happening in other GT A municipalities and is a resource for staff to draw upon when we are implementing the Green Community Strategy. 2.2 To date, Clarington has not participated in the politicians roundtable at the Smog Summit. It is a decision of Council whether they wish to send a representative to participate in this session at the Smog Summit. REPORT NO.: CAO-08-07 PAGE 3 3.0 CONCLUSIONS 3.1 It is recommended that Clarington continue their membership in the virtue of our membership and participation we continue to sign the Intergovernmental Declaration at the annual Smog Summit. Attachment 1 - ADM-02-03 Attachment 2 - Clarington Website, GTA Clean Air Council pages Attachment 3 - Information provided on Municipal Programs to GTA Clean Air Council .. ~ ATTACHMENT NO.1 TO REPORT CAO-08-07 ClM.pn REPORT ADMINISTRATION Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Date: June 2, 2003 Report #: ADM-02-03 -- File #: ~..s 0Ifl-~-03 By-law #: Subject: Clean Air Council RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. That ADM-02-03 be received. 2. That the Mayor and the CAO be authorized to take all necessary actions to represent the Municipality of Clarington on the GTA Clean Air Council; and to participate in clean air initiatives. 6~-:7.~ Submitted by: Franklin Wu, Chief Administrative Officer FW*jla Attach: Attachment 1 - Inter-Governmental Declarations of Clean Air (2002 Declaration) Attachment 2 - Draft agenda - June 20th Roundtable Attachment 3 - Action to Improve Air Quality 2003 CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVtLLE, ONTARIO L 1C 3A6 T 905-623-3379 F 905-623-5717 1401 REPORT NO.: ADM-02-03 PAGE 2 1 . Backoround The Greater Toronto Clean Air Council (GTA C.A.C.) was established through the Intergovernmental Declaration of the Federal and Provincial governments, and the City of Toronto in 2000. It has since expanded its membership to include various federal and provincial agencies such as N.R. Canada, Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Environment, Utility companies and 26 of the GT A municipalities. In Durham Region, the Region, Ajax, Pickering and Oshawa are existing members with Whitby and Clarington recently participating as members of the C.A.C. Clarington, by Resolution C-190-02 endorsed the resolution of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities regarding Kyoto Protocol and that working with the GTA-C.A.C. begins to implement some of the principles called for in the Protocol. 2. Goal of the C.A.C. The primary goal of the C.A.C. is to reduce smog by promoting and implementing various clean air initiatives; including the annual signing of Inter-govemmental Declarations setting out the challenge for the next annum. 3. Strateav of the C.A.C. . Explore opportunities and best practices among all agencies . Encourage members to undertake local Initiatives . Host Smog Summit to heighten public awareness . Provide GTA-wide education campaigns 4. Role of Municioalities In support of the effort, C.A.C. municipalities are encouraged to undertake as many clean air initiatives as possible, including but not limited to the following actions: . Promote local transit . Explore and utilize green power such as wind, biogas, solar and other renewable energy sources, e.g. solar energy for municipal facilities, bio-diesel fuel for municipal fleet . Anti-idling by-law . Community outreach to local businesses and industries . Education and promotion, e.g. walk to school program . Bicycle and pathway development as alternate transport modes . Coop with other municipalities to purchase green power such as bio-diesel . Greening of urban area . Promote smart growth . Green procurement policies . Energy efficiency initiatives . Smog alert response plan 1402 REPORT NO.: ADM-02-03 PAGE 3 5. Clarinoton Initiatives Clarington has already undertaken a number of actions and initiatives that meet the objectives of the C.A.C., including Clarington Transit, strong support for ITER, Backyard Burning Bylaw, Valleys 2000 and other stewardship initiatives. Clarington's initiatives (see attachment #3) will be listed as part of an appendix to the 2003 Declaration. During the summer of 2003 an information baseline will be researched and documented of current practices across the municipal departments. This will provide a benchmark for future improvements that can be registered as part of the annual declarations at the Smog Summit. In future, Clarington may wish to participate more actively in Smog Summit lead-in activities such as the community forum being hosted June 12th at 7p.m. at Ajax Community Centre, 75 Centennial Road. 6. Benefits to Clarinoton The benefits to Clarington in becoming a member of the GTA-Clean Air Council will be: . Piggy-back onto GT A-wide public education programmes, such as the idle-free campaign . Information sharing for environmentally friendly procurement policies, including access to RFP's and the option to participate in region-wide purchasing initiatives . Continuous improvement in our knowledge base for clean-air initiatives . Link to the GTA-Clean Air Council website 7. Actions SteDs Active participation in the effort to reduce smog but developing our own Municipal strategies and commitments that implement as many clean air initiatives as possible based on the best practices being compiled by the C.A.C. Staff involvement: CAO to chair a staff working group that will draft "Smog Response and Smog Action Plans" with assistance from the Special Project Branch of Planning Services and staff members from other Departments. Required: 1. Declaration by Clarington that it is prepared to take action for clean air quality. 2. Mayor to sign the 2003 Joint Intergovernmental Declaration at the Smog Summit on June 20,2003 (Attachment #2 - Agenda). The 2003 Declaration is currently being drafted by the C.A.C., it will be similar to the 2002 Declaration (attachment #1). 1403 Attachment #1 TORONTO 2002INTER-GOVERNMENTAL DECLARATION ON CLEAN AIR PREAMBLE. WHEREAS representatives of the City of Toronto, the Government of Ontario, and the Govemment of Canada, out of concern for the risks that air pollution poses to public health and the local economy, gathered in Toronto and signed the Toronto Inter-governmental Declaration on Clean Air on June 21, 2000 and gathered again on the occasion of the second Toronto Smog Summit on June 11,2001 joined by representatives of municipal governments in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and signed the Toronto 2001 Inter- governmental Declaration on Clean Air; AND WHEREAS the Inter-governmental Working Group, established to follow-up on key issues raised and to convene ongoing annual Summits was renamed the GTA Clean Air Council with an expanded mandate to also explore opportunities for joint initiatives between annual Summits and liaise, through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, with other municipalities across Canada to share best practices information on smog reduction; AND WHEREAS we the representatives of the City of Toronto, municipal and regional governments in the GTA, the Government of Ontario, and the Government of Canada have gathered in Toronto on June 21, 2002 on the occasion of the third Smog Summit; RECOGNIZING that recent evidence indicates an association between exposure to smog pollutants, increased mortality from heart disease and increased incidence of asthma in children, and experimental studies in humans have shown that exposure to smog pollutants constricts blood vessels; RECOGNIZING that in 2001, the Toronto region experienced an unprecedented number of smog advisories as well as the earliest smog advisory in its history and recognizing that climate change may cause the number of smog incidents to increase; RECOGNIZING that on March 18, 2002 Ontario Medical Officers of Health and other health professionals, acknowledging the adverse health impact of air pollution, met with the Ontario Medical Association to discuss strategies to promote concrete actions that reduce local air emissions and encourage necessary individual and policy changes; RECOGNIZING that during May and June 2002 at six citizen forums throughout the GT A hundreds of citizens urged that strong action be taken by citizens, business and government to clean the air and reduce greenhouse gas emissions; RECOGNIZING that the annual Summits are a part of the on-going efforts of our respective governments to address the air pollution problem; EMPHASIZING the significance of this Summit in convening all orders of government, corporations, non-governmental organizations, and members of the general public, aiming to 1404 better coordinate and enhance their respective initiatives to reduce the occurrence of, and health risk from, air pollution in Toronto and the GTA; THANKING Enbridge Consumers Gas, Toronto Hydro, the Government of Ontario, the Government of Canada, the Toronto Atmospheric Fund, and the City of Toronto for providing financial support for the Summit; THANKING the participants of the GT A Clean Air Council for developing the 2002 Declaration, and thanking the corporations, non-governmental organizations and members of the general public who assisted in planning the Summit and the Toronto Atmospheric Fund, the Clean Air Partnership and the City of Toronto for organizing the Summit; WE DO HEREBY DeCLARE: ARTICLE 1 STATEMENT OF COMMON UNDERSTANDING 1.1 According to several recent studies, air pollution poses a serious threat to the health of people with cardiac and respiratory illness, and to the environment. Scientists and physicians have linked air pollution to premature deaths, illnesses and hospitalization, each year in major Canadian cities, including the GTA. There is a cost to air pollution related illness and a threat to local economies. Even a small increase in air pollution increases health impacts, particularly to those who are sensitive to air pollution. 1.2 Recent evidence indicates that chronic exposure to smog is associated with both acute and long-term health effects. The scientific literature also reflects a growing concern over the health impacts of exposure to airborne fine particles. 1.3 Ground-level ozone is a principal constituent of smog. The formation of ozone is in part a function of solar radiation and ambient heat. Particulate matter, the other main contributor to smog formation, may be feleased directly into the air from a variety of sources, or indirectly formed when gases from burning fossil fuels react with sunlight and water vapour. Climate change may cause more episodes of ground-level ozone in the GTA. 1.4 Fossil-fuel combustion is responsible for most of the air pollution originating locally, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides. 1.5 Compact urban form, combined with pedestrian and transit-friendly design, fosters opportunities to shift from automobiles to alternative transportation options like walking, cycling and transit, thereby creating the potential to reduce driving-related emissions. 1.6 There is a need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of our collective efforts to address climate change. Actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are also often associated with reductions of other atmospheric emissions. As a result, one of the key co-benefits associated with these actions is to reduce air pollution and the associated health impacts. 1405 " ARTICLE 2 CALL FOR MUNICIPAL ACTION LOWER-TIER MUNICIPALITIES: In 2002-2003, the Town of Ajax is prepared to take action to improve air quality as outlined in Appendix 2.1. In 2002-2003, the City of Brampton is prepared to take action to improve air quality as outlined in Appendix 2.2. In 2002-2003, the City of Burlington is prepared to take action to improve air quality as outlined in Appendix 2.3. In 2002-2003, the Town of Caledon is prepared to take action to improve air quality as outlined in Appendix 2.4. In 2002-2003, the Town of Halton Hills is prepared to take action to improve air quality as outlined in Appendix 2.5. In 2002-2003, the Town of Markham is prepared to take action to improve air quality as outlined in Appendix 2.6. In 2002-2003, the City of Mississauga is prepared to take action to improve air quality as outlined in Appendix 2.7. In 2002-2003, the Town of Newmarket is prepared to take action to improve air quality as outlined in Appendix 2.8. In 2002-2003, the Town of Oakville is prepared to take action to improve air quality as outlined in Appendix 2.9. In 2002-2003, the City of Oshawa is prepared to take action to improve air quality as outlined in Appendix 2.10. In 2002-2003, the Town of Richmond Hili is prepared to take action to improve air quality as outlined in Appendix 2.11. In 2002-2003, the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville is prepared to take action to improve air quality as outlined in Appendix 2.12 UPPER-TIER MUNICIPALITIES: In 2002-2003, the Region of Durham is prepared to take action to improve air quality as outlined in Appendix 2.13. In 2002-2003, the Region of Halton is prepared to take action to improve air quality as outlined in Appendix 2.14. 1406 " In 2002-2003, the Region of Peel is prepared to take action to improve air quality as outlined in Appendix 2.15. In 2002-2003, the Region of York is prepared to take action to improve air quality as outlined in Appendix 2.16. SINGLE-TIER MUNICIPALITIES: In 2002-2003, the City of Toronto is prepared to take action to improve air quality a!3 outlined in Appendix 2.17. ARTICLE 3 - CALL FOR PROVINCIAL ACTION In 2002-2003, the Government of Ontario is prepared to take action to improve air quality as outlined in Appendix 3. ARTICLE 4 - CALL FOR FEDERAL ACTION In 2002-2003, the Government of Canada is prepared to take action to improve air quality as outlined in Appendix 4. ARTICLE 5 - CALL FOR JOINT ACTION The GTA Clean Air Council has identified needed actions to reduce air pollution in the GTA airshed. Governments operational in the GTA are prepared to take the following inter- govemmental actions to improve air quality: 5.1 With financial support in 2002 from the Toronto Atmospheric Fund and the Government of Canada, with implementation support from other GT A municipalities, energy firms and transit providers, and with coordinating support from the City of Toronto, the municipalities represented on the GTA Clean Air Council will where appropriate participate in the implementation of 20/20 The Way to Clean Air, a social marketing campaign to help householders reduce both home energy use and vehicle kilometres travelled by 20% in each of their jurisdictions. 5.2 The municipalities represented on the GT A Clean Air Council will review their Smog Alert Response Plans and consider including these actions, where appropriate: 1. Reduce or suspend use of gasoline or diesel-powered equipment where possible (Iawnmowers, leaf blowers, etc). 2. Reduce or suspend pesticide spraying. 3. Reduce or suspend vehicle use (alternative work arrangement, trip reductions). 4. Refuel essential vehicles early or late in day. 5. Reduce engine idling. 6. Reduce or suspend pavement resurfacing (subject to contract agreements). 7. Set warmer temperatures on air conditioning units. 8. Allow staff to dress comfortably. 9. Reduce or suspend pavement/city street sweeping. 1407 '- 5.3 In addition, the members of the GTA Clean Air Council will participate in the development, and where appropriate, implement the following actions to assist local sources to reduce emissions of air pollutants and greenhouses gases: 1. In cooperation with the suppliers of gasoline products, develop a GT A-wide low- sulphur fuel purchase standard. 2. In cooperation with Ontario Power Generation, Toronto Hydro and other electricity producers develop GT A-wide Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard to ensure that a percentage of electricity purchased comes from renewable sources. 3. Commit to anti-idling and fuel-reduction programs for their vehicle fleets. 4. Implement a GTA-wide anti-idling public education program.and participate in a review of the feasibility of anti-idling by-laws in their jurisdictions. 5. Promote in their jurisdictions voluntary programs such as Green$aver and the Clean Air Foundation's Mow Down Pollution. 6. Participate in a GTA-CAC Air Quality Modelling Group of municipal members to share municipal data and oversee the modelling of local air quality conditions and smog episodes across the GTA, to portray local aIr quality, and to evaluate the potential of future municipal policies, improvement measures and scenarios. 7. Develop links between GT A Council members' corporate websites, and the websites of the GT A Clean Air Council and federal and provincial governments promoting clean air and display their clean air declarations and annual progress reports and for public review. 5.4 All members of the GTA Clean Air Council will communicate the Citizens' Declaration presented at the third Smog Summit to their member organizations 5.5 Environment Canada, Health Canada and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Energy will collaborate, as part of a national initiative, on the timely development and implementation of an improved Air Quality Index (AQI) in consultation with stakeholders to better inform the public, including those who are especially sensitive to air pollution, of steps they can take to protect their health during air pollution episodes. 5.6 Health Canada, Environment Canada and Toronto Public Health, in consultation with the GTA Clean Air Council, will be engaged in a major new study funded by Health Canada to examine the combined impacts of heat and smog on summer premature mortality as well as winter weather and air pollution on mortality. 1408 \ ARTICLE 6 - CALL FOR GTA CLEAN AIR COUNCIL ACTIONS The GTA Clean Air Council has identified needed research and actions to reduce air pollution in the GTA airshed. Through the GTA Clean Air Council, the members of the GTA-CAC are prepared to take the following joint actions to improve air quality: 6.1 Analyze the Clean Air Inventory to create a GT A-wide best practices guide with a view to having it adopted by as many GT A municipalities as possible by the next summit. 6.2 With reference to the research and studies conducted by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and other organizations and the City of Toronto, review the implications of emissions credit systems for local and regional governments. 6.3 In partnership with the Ontario Medical Association and the Association of Local Public Health Agencies, establish a clearinghouse of public information materials to identify, summarize, review and disseminate recent and emerging research on smog, air quality, climate change and the related health and environmental impacts. 6.4 In partnership with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and Association of Municipalities of Ontario, exchange ideas and share success of clean air initiatives with other regions in Ontario and Canada. 1409 ~ 8 :00 am 9:00 am 9:05 am 9:10 am 9:20 am 1. 2. Attachment #2 June 20th Roundtable Discussion Agenda DRAFT for discussion Registration and refreshments Introductions and welcome from City of Toronto representative (TBA) Welcome from Jim Schultz, president Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. Keynote speaker: Ken Maybee, president Canadian Lung Association GTA municipal roundtable discussion: Moderator TBA Joint Declaration: Eva will contact 3-4 selected municipal politicians to arrange for them to prepare to discuss. (e.g. a large city, a smaller city, a region) Tooic Catecories: municipalities to present on one topic category based on review of the strongest aspect of their appendix & in alphabetical order within the topic category. CAP will contact each of you to confirm which category we think should be highlighted by which municipality. Categories: Transportation (e.g. Ajax, Newmarket, Toronto) Energy (e.g. Durham, Peel) Business, Industry and Government (e.g. Mississauga, York) Natural and Built Environment etc Education and Outreach etc 11 :20 am Province of Ontario Announcements 11 :35 am Federal Government Announcements 11 :50 am Toronto Atmospheric Fund award to Jack Layton 12:00 am Repair Our Air Fleet Challenge award ceremony 1 41 0 Attachment #3 Municipality of Clarington - Appendix 4.5 ACTIONS TO IMPROVE AIR QUALITY 2003 Transportation 1. Initiation of Clarington Transit Start-up of a transit program in Clarington which links with Oshawa Transit (via GO Transit along Hwy #2). Initially 2 buses and 2 routes were implemented; however ridership and demand warranted a third bus being added to the system. The system included AM and PM School Specials and has eliminated many single purpose trips. 2. Alternative Modes of Transportation Promote transit, cycling and walking as healthy and environmentally-friendly modes of transportation in the community. Energy 3. ITER Canadian Host Clarington is the selected Canadian site for ITER. a multi-national research and development facility for fusion energy; the next generation of energy production. The Municipality has promoted the technology and site including hosting delegations from the international partners and ensuring that there is continued Provincial and Federal support and funding for this project. 4. Municipal Administrative Centre The MAC centre recently opened the third addition to our historic town hall. The most recent addition houses the public library and administrative offices. The MAC is a unique blend of a heritage building linked by atrium spaces with a state of the art, energy efficient office complex. Business, Industry and Government 5. Breathe Easy On Smog Action Days the municipality makes our community centres and recreation facilities available to the elderly, young and people experiencing respiratory problems. 6. Environmental Convergence Ontario Power Generation (Darlington Nuclear site) host an annual workshop on environmental achievements and initiatives. The purpose of this workshop is to provide a forum for the lakefront neighbours and community partners to come together and exchange information, network and determine common goals to further the development of a wildlife and , 1411 habitat corridor along Lake Ontario. Natural and Built Environment 7. Stewardship Initiatives Through assistance to and guidance of the Valleys 2000 and Samuel Wilmot C.A. groups the municipality is promoting the naturalization and conservation of floodplain areas in the municipality. In addition, the municipality has an active and funded acquisition strategy for waterfront lands and other natural heritage areas. In 2003 we intend to develop a new C/arington-wide stewardship strategy. 8. BowmanvillelWestside Marsh Wetland Complex In partnership with 81. Mary's Cement and C.L.O.C.A. the Municipality has been able to acquire a significant portion of the BowmanvillelWestside Marsh. To accommodate the 81. Mary's quarry operation a diversion scheme for the streams feeding the marsh is being implemented. Education and Outreach 9. Agricultural Advisory Committee The C/arington Agricultural Advisory Committee came forward with a request to sign active farming areas within the community to promote awareness to motorists in rural areas of farming operations. 10. Benchmarking of Municipal Practices Clarington is undertaking an inventory of our existing policies and operations that could reduce air pollution. This benchmarking process will determine where improvements can be made in future years and include an education/awareness program for municipal staff. , 4 '2 GT A Clean Air Council Clcuington, ON I Clarington.net ..:J I Search I CONTENT: Clarington's Respons~ Wh_aUs_SM_QG7 H~aHh_Effrcts _of smQg SmQg WatGh vs Smog Advisory Protect yourself & your child. Ti12s_fQ[HQm~9Wn~IS Tips for Commuters Want more information? Page 1 of2 ATTACHMENT NO.2 TO REPORT CAO-08-07 Wt'kome Servkt's Resources Town Hall GT A Clean Air Council Introduction The Greater Toronto Clean Air CQJlncil (GT A-CAC) is an inte working group with a mission to reduce smog and smog emiss GTA. Formed in response to the recognition of the adverse hut environmental impacts of smog and widespread public concen has been meeting since the 2000 Smog Summit. One of the ke; GT A-CAC is to develop smog reduction strategies which can 1 implemented by the various jurisdictions which make-up the G Initial members of the GTA-CAC included the Government of of Ontario and the City of Toronto. Since then, additional juris joined the GT A-CAC in an effort to combat smog throughout 1 Since the 2000 Smog Summit and in an effort to raise public a' political commitment to improving air quality, the GTA-CAC. annual Smog Summits. To date, the GTA-CAC has been successful in identifying and initiatives which have allowed GT A-CAC members to develof through collective action with the goal of improving air qualit) quality will benefit human and environmental health throughOl ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Information found Clarington's GTA-CAC website and its lim information from the following sources: BCity of Toronto BClean Air Consumer Guide BEnvironment Canada http://www.clarington.net/htdocs/ doc-cleanair .html 4/27/2007 GT A Clean Air Council Page 2 of2 leanAir G 0 \.Jt'o ell. ATTACHMENT NO.2 - TO REPORT CAO-08-07 [lJGreater Toronto Area "Idle Free" CamRaign [lJOntario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care [lJOntario Ministry of the Environment [lJOntario Ministry of Agriculture and Food: [lJOPHA (pdffile) [lJNatural Resources Canada Office of Energy Efficiency: [lJSteps to Clean Air: Analysis ofGTA Clean Air Council's C and Recommendations for Best Practices Guide NOTE: Links to sites external to the Municipality of Clarington are pn convenience and their inclusion does not imply that the Munic Clarington endorses or accepts any responsibility for the conte. sites. http://www.clarington.net/htdocs/ doc-cleanair .html 4/27/2007 REPORT NO.: CAO-08-07 ATTACHMENT NO.3 Municipality of Clarington . Air quality standards, policies & programs Municipal - Business, industry and government Benchmarking of Municipal Practices: Clarington is undertaking an inventory of our existing policies and operations that could reduce air pollution. This benchmarking process will determine where improvements can be made in future years and include an education/awareness program for municipal staff. Municipality of Clarinqton - Community committees & planninq Municipal - Business, industry and government Now in its fifth year the agricultural advisory committee assists Council and residents in understanding the agricultural industry. The committee holds an annual event to promote education of agricultural issues. Municipality of Clarington - Community committees & planning Municipal - Business, industry and government Environmental Convergence: Clarington supports the efforts of Ontario Power Generation (Darlington Nuclear site) in environmental initiatives. The municipality and OPG are working with lakefront neighbours and community partners to come together and exchange information, network and determine common goals to further the development of a wildlife and habitat corridor along Lake Ontario. Municipality of Clarington - Green energy purchasing Municipal - Business, industry and government Utilize premium low sulphur fuel for all equipment (clear diesel only). Co-operative fuel buying with other municipalities. Municipality of Clarington - Green procurement Municipal - Business, industry and government Beginning in 2000 Council created the first environmental land acquisition strategy and funded the purchase of environmental lands that cannot be acquired through the parkland dedications or development approvals. This is an ongoing program and has been reconfirmed as a priority for this term (2004-6) of Council. Municipality of Clarinqton - Others Municipal - Business, industry and government Clarington is the location of the manufacturing plant for CHEC. CHEC's flagship product, the Canadian Hydrogen Company hydrogen injection system, is currently available for the commercial trucking industry and it is backed with 40 million miles of testing in all climates and conditions. The injections system reduces emissions and improves energy efficiency, reducing fuel consumption while producing more power. Clarington installed the HFI system on its buses as a pilot project to determine the applicability of the system to transit systems. The results of this pilot project have been extremely positive. Municipality of Clarington . Smog/heat alert response plan Municipal - Business, industry and government Breathe Easy Programme: On Smog Alert Days the municipality makes our community centres and recreation facilities available to the elderly, the young and people experiencing respiratory problems. Municipality of Clarington - Smog & air quality awareness Municipal - Education and outreach The Region of Durham has drafted a Smog Action Plan, the local municipalities are working with the Region on its implementation and applicability with each municipality. Municipality of Clarinqton - Smoq & air Quality awareness Municipal - Education and outreach Continue to provide and update information on smog and air quality on the municipal Web site. Municipality of Clarington - Smog & air quality awareness Municipal - Education and outreach Continue to promote voluntary programs, such as EnerGuide for Houses and the Clean Air Foundation's Mow Down Pollution, within their communities. REPORT NO.: CAO-08-07 ATTACHMENT NO.3 Municipality of Clarinqton - Transportation related awareness campaiqns Municipal - Education and outreach Explore opportunities to sustain or expand GTA-wide anti-idling public education efforts, based on what has been learned from implementation of the Idle-Free Campaign as part of the Smog Summit. Municipality of Clarinqton - Enerqy manaqement strateqies Municipal - Energy Support the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority's Mayors' Megawatt Challenge by helping to pool energy management knowledge and experience to assist cities and towns to collectively achieve at least one megawatt of electrical demand savings during annually. Municipality of Clarington - Research centres Municipal - Energy Energy Efficiency at Municipal Administrative Centre (MAC): The MAC is a state of the art, energy efficient office complex linked by atrium spaces with a heritage building. The MAC centre opened the third addition in 2003 featuring energy efficient lighting, computerized control to align heating and cooling with use patterns, heat recovery from building exhaust systems and a low ratio of exterior wall space. The most recent addition houses the public library and administrative offices. Municipality of Clarington - Research centres Municipal - Energy Clarington is developing an economic and land use strategy for the new Energy Park in Courtice. This is a prestige industrial park where alternative energy companies are encouraged to locate. The Clarington Energy Business Park incorporates En2 businesses, research and demonstration projects that will act as catalysts for other development and commercialization of state-of-the-art environment and energy technologies to drive competitiveness and support sustainable development. Municipality of Clarington - Conservation & protection Municipal - Natural and built environment Bowmanville/Westside Marsh Wetland Complex: In partnership with St. Mary's Cement and Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (C.L.O.C.A) the Municipality has been able to acquire a significant portion of the Bowmanville/Westside Marsh. To accommodate the St. Mary's quarry operation a diversion scheme for the streams feeding the marsh has been implemented. The recently constructed Longman Bridge over Bowmanville Creek used vegetated crib walls and erosion control plantings to maintain the alignment of Bowmanville Creek, a significant cold water fishery resource. Municipality of Clarinqton - Conservation & protection Municipal - Natural and built environment Implementing the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan through an Official Plan amendment and Zoning By-law which limits development and encourages the protection of the moraine's natural areas. Municipality of Clarington - Greening & naturalization Municipal - Natural and built environment Encouraging and promoting naturalized parkland areas. Municipality of Clarington - Greening & naturalization Municipal - Natural and built environment Stewardship Initiatives: The municipality is promoting the naturalization and conservation of floodplain areas within the municipality through the provision of assistance and guidance to Valleys 2000 and Samuel Wilmot CA groups. In addition, the municipality has an active and funded acquisition strategy for waterfront lands and other natural heritage areas. In 2003, we intend to develop a new Clarington-wide stewardship strategy. REPORT NO.: CAO-08-07 ATTACHMENT NO.3 Municipality of Clarington - Land use/urban form Municipal - Natural and built environment Continue development of pathways and trails throughout the Municipality Municipality of Clarington - Trees & forest related initiatives Municipal - Natural and built environment Community groups, the municipality and developers plant more than 1,000 native trees and shrubs throughout the municipality annually. Municipalitv of Clarinoton - Trees & forest related initiatives Municipal - Natural and built environment Tree Conservation By-law (97-35) to protect and preserve woodlots larger than half an acre in size. Municipality of Clarington - Alternative modes of transport & commuting Municipal - Transportation Alternative Modes of Transportation: Promote transit, cycling and walking as healthy and environmentally- friendly modes of transportation in the community. Clarington is part of the Regional Bicycle Masterplan and Trail System committees. Municipality of Clarington - Green fleet activities Municipal - Transportation Perform annual vehicle emission testing. Schedule preventative maintenance program for all vehicles currently in fleet. Municipality of Clarington - Transit service & efficiency Municipal - Transportation Initiation of Clarington Transit: Start-up of Clarington Transit, which links with Oshawa Transit (via GO Transit along Hwy #2). Initially 2 buses and 2 routes were implemented; however ridership and demand warranted a third bus being added to the system. The system includes AM and PM School Specials and has eliminated many single purpose trips. Ridership has increased annually since inception. This service has now been turned over to Durham Region Transit.