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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO-002-12 Clarington REPORT CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Date: April 23, 2012 Resolution#: `q By-law#: Report#: CAO-002-12 File#: Subject: ENERGY MANAGEMENT STEERING COMMITTEE 2011 ACTIVITY REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report CAO-002-12 be received for information. Submitted by: Franklin Wu, M.A.O.M Chief Administrative Officer FW/jp CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T 905-623-3379 REPORT NO.: CAO- 002 -12 r 1 • K 1.1 The Energy Management Steering Committee (Committee) continued its efforts in 2011 with the goal of reducing energy usage in municipally operated facilities. With representation from all departments and Clarington Library the Committee is able to deal with all aspects of the various municipal operations in terms of energy effectiveness. 1.2 There are a number of initiatives that the Committee has been working on and this report is intended to advise Council of the efforts over the last year as well as the plans for the current year. 2.0 COMMITTEE INITIATIVES 2011 2.1 Energy Audit Program The energy audit program continued in 2011 with audits completed on eight buildings to date. The audit program remains on -going and the completion of the remaining buildings is expected for the fall of 2012. 2.2 Utility Usage Tracking In 2011 the Committee continued the tracking and reporting on energy consumption. In comparison to 2010 consumption, the following results were realized: Natural Gas 8.8% decrease Hydro 0.9% decrease Water 8.4% decrease The Municipality has successfully brought consumption numbers down in all three areas of energy use and will continue to closely monitor usage for 2012. It is expected that the implementation of energy audit recommendations in the future will be beneficial in achieving our goals. 2.3 Employee /Community Engagement The Committee introduced the Energy News, a staff newsletter that will provide an on -going communication between the Committee and staff in all departments. The Committee also prepared information for the Fall - 2011 Clarington Insider that was included in the Fall Recreation & Leisure Guide. REPORT NO.: CAO- 002 -12 2.4 LED Streetlight Program PAGE 3 The Committee is continuing the investigation into LED technology for street lights in the municipality. In addition to a pilot project that the Engineering Department undertook on a section of Edward Street in Newcastle, we are following the development of a large pilot program that the City of Niagara Falls undertook. We have been advised they are expecting to report on the results of their program in the next few months. 3.0 FUTURE PLANNING 3.1 Energy Audit Master Plan As part of the engagement for the energy audit work, VIP Energy Inc. will be preparing a detailed master plan. This plan will identify all of the potential energy savings measures found in all building audits. It will also include an implementation strategy that will allow staff to prepare a list of recommendations for Council consideration. 3.2 Feed — In Tariff Program Following the approval of Council to proceed with an Expression of Interest, staff has reviewed a number of submissions and will be reporting to Council with a recommendation on how to proceed regarding a potential installation of a roof- top photo - voltaic solar panel system at the Municipal Administrative Centre. 3.3 LEED Policy for Municipal Buildings As identified in the Strategic Plan 2011 — 2014, the Committee will be bringing forward a report recommending for Council consideration a policy for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards for municipal buildings. 3.4 Green Energy Act Regulations On January 1, 2012 Ontario Regulation #397 -11, Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plans, came into effect. The Regulation requires public agencies to report on annual energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions as well as setting out targeted consumption reductions and the measures that will contribute to realizing energy reductions. Clarington is well positioned to report in these areas as we have been gathering and reporting data for several years. In 2012 the Committee will be preparing the data to report to the Ministry on our greenhouse gas emissions inventory. REPORT NO.: CAO- 002 -12 3.5 Energy Management Plan (EMP) PAGE 4 In order to meet the new requirements in the Green Energy Act regulations, the draft EMP that was received by Council in 2010 will need to be revised and finalized. As the information will be required by the Ministry on or before July 1, 2014, the Committee will continue to work on the various areas of the plan and will be reporting back to Council when completed. 4.0 COMMENTS 4.1 The municipality remains committed to energy conservation and the Committee and its members will continue to work towards achieving significant energy reductions. 4.2 A number of initiatives of the Committee will require specific direction from Council and will be reported separately throughout the year. CONFORMITY WITH STRATEGIC PLAN — The recommendations contained in this report conform to the general intent of the following priorities of the Strategic Plan: _ Promoting economic development _ Maintaining financial stability _ Connecting Clarington X Promoting green initiatives Investing in infrastructure _ Showcasing our community _ Not in conformity with Strategic Plan