Municipality of North CowichanEnvironmental Advisory Committee

AGENDA

Wednesday, August 19, 2015, 9:00 a.m.Municipal Hall - Council Chambers

Pages

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Recommendation:

That the Committee approve the agenda as circulated [or as amended].

3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 2 - 5

Recommendation:

That the Committee adopt the minutes of the meeting held July 15, 2015.

4. BUSINESS

4.1 One Cowichan 6 - 15

Purpose: To discuss the July 15, 2015 Council resolution "That Council refer therecommendations in One Cowichan's report on solar energy to theEnvironmental Advisory Committee."

4.2 BETTER OFF North Cowichan 16 - 19

Purpose: To discuss the planning of three workshops scheduled for the Fall.

4.3 2016 Priorities

Purpose: To discuss and identify priorities for 2016 in relation to the ClimateAction and Energy Plan Reserve Fund.

4.4 Green Communities Committee 20 - 23

Purpose: To review the letter from Green Communities Committee regardingcorporate carbon neutrality.

5. NEW BUSINESS

6. ADJOURNMENT

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Municipality of North Cowichan

Environmental Advisory Committee

MINUTES

July 15, 2015, 9:00 a.m.

Municipal Hall - Council Chambers

Members Present Gail Calderwood, Chair

Councillor Rob Douglas

Cam Campbell

Reed Early

Sandra McPherson

Darlene Walkey

Members Absent Katherine Garrah

Staff Present Brian Green, Manager of Planning and Sustainability

Brigid Reynolds, Senior Planner - Environment and Policy

Shaun Chadburn, Engineering Technician (Environmental Programs)

Alyssa Meiner, Acting Deputy Director of Corporate Services

Don Stewart, Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation

1. CALL TO ORDER

There being a quorum present, the Chair called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m.

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

It was moved and seconded:

That the Committee approve the agenda as amended to add the following items:

1. 5.1 Open Meeting Rule;

2. 5.2 Updates on Forest Tour, Baird Property Tour, Trip Diary Survey; and

3. 5.3 One Cowichan Petition.

CARRIED

3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES

It was moved and seconded:

That the Committee adopt the minutes of the meeting held June 17, 2015, as amended to

change 5.1 to read Regional Growth Strategy.

CARRIED

4. BUSINESS

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July 15, 2015 - Environmental Advisory Committee Minutes

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4.1 Climate Action Energy Plan - Reserve Fund

The Committee received a verbal report from the Deputy Director of Parks and

Recreation regarding the Fuller Lake HVAC replacement project funded by the Climate

Action Energy Plan reserve fund. The Deputy Director informed the Committee that the

project has been awarded to Westisle Mechanical Services with a budget estimated at

$175,000, anticipated gas savings of 500 gigajoules per annum and carbon savings of

25.2 tonnes of CO2e per annum, and is estimated for completion at the end of August.

The Committee noted that unused amounts will be returned to the reserve fund. The

Committee also discussed options, including a press release, to raise public awareness of

projects paid for by the reserve fund that reduce corporate GHGs.

4.2 Biodiesel Update

The Committee received a brief verbal update from the Engineering Technologist

regarding North American biodiesel standards and noted the Committee will receive a

more detailed written report from the Engineering Technologist in late fall.

4.3 Climate Action and Energy Plan

The Committee received verbal and written summaries from two Committee working

groups, tasked with identifying priorities when making decisions regarding the CAEP

Implementation Framework, and evaluating potential indicators for the CAEP

Implementation and Monitoring Plan, respectively.

The first group summarized its discussions and identified as a first priority the need to

collect baseline data for each of the major subject areas of the Implementation

Framework (i.e. transportation, land use, energy, financing, forestry, and adaptation), and

a potential need to identify gaps in baseline data.

The second group summarized its discussions and noted that indicators are best created

by a team representing stakeholders, need to be observable, measurable, and easily

understood, and ideally have local relevance and media currency to the average person.

The Committee was provided with a list of potential indicators.

The Committee agreed to discuss this further when the Senior Planner reports back to

the Committee on her report regarding baseline indicators for the Official Community

Plan update in August or September.

4.4 Parks and Trails Master Plan

The Committee received a verbal update from the Manager of Planning and

Sustainability on the status of the Parks and Trails Master Plan. The Committee learned

that a request for proposals has been issued, with closing date of August 24th, and an

estimated budget at $80,000. The plan is intended to build on work done to identify

existing and proposed trails, consolidate existing park plans and provide a long term

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July 15, 2015 - Environmental Advisory Committee Minutes

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vision that meets the needs of the community. Trail standards are expected to be

included in the plan, as well as potential park sites for acquisition or sale in order to meet

community needs. The Committee discussed how this plan would be linked to a

transportation plan, as well as the idea of the railway corridor for trail use, and possibility

of using the CAEP reserve fund to develop bike trails.

4.5 BETTER OFF North Cowichan

The Committee received a verbal report from the Senior Planner regarding the three

proposed BETTER OFF North Cowichan community workshops scheduled for Chemainus,

Crofton, and the South End in late September or October. The Committee discussed

ideas for content for these community workshops, including:

1. providing an overview of the benefits of undertaking home energy improvements;

2. under taking home energy assessments;

3. bringing in the winners of last year’s Household Challenge;

4. making these workshops family friendly with activities for kids;

5. holding interactive workshops instead of presentation;

6. making presentations available on the website;

7. using handouts; and

8. providing an opportunity to build interest in water conservation.

The Committee agreed to meet on July 29, 2015 at 4:30 p.m. to further discuss ideas for

the community workshops.

4.6 Presentation to Council

The Committee discussed Council’s decision from the June 30, 2015 meeting to invite a

representative from the Committee to provide a presentation to Council. The Committee

discussed ideas for presentation content and format and determined that the Committee

Chair would, with assistance from Committee member Sandy McPherson, develop and

deliver the presentation to Council. Staff would also be available during the presentation

to answer questions from Council. The Committee agreed that the Chair would deliver a

presentation to Council on September 2, 2015, on the purpose and value of the Climate

Action Energy Plan Reserve Fund.

5. NEW BUSINESS

5.1 Open Meeting Rule

The Committee heard from the Acting Deputy Director of Corporate Services regarding

the general rule under the Community Charter that meetings of Council and Council

committees be open to the public. The Committee was advised of the factors to be

considered when determining whether a gathering is a meeting as set out in the BC

Ombudspersons 2012 Special Report No. 34 “Open Meetings: Best Practices Guide for

Local Governments”. These factors include presence of a quorum and discussion of

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July 15, 2015 - Environmental Advisory Committee Minutes

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matters within the Committee’s jurisdiction that could deprive the public of the

opportunity to observe a material part of the decision-making process. The Committee

discussed the application of this general rule to the Committee, and the principles of

public accountability and transparency underlying the rule.

5.2 Updates on Forest Tour, Baird Property Tour, Trip Diary Survey

Sandy McPherson informed the Committee that she was waiting to hear back from the

Municipal Forester on forest tour dates, but given the presently high fire risk, the forest

tour should be postponed.

Councillor Marsh informed the Committee that a mid-week tour of the Baird property for

the purpose of a hands-on look at sustainability is $250 for up to 15 people plus an

additional $15 per person. This includes a two hour tour and half hour question period.

The Committee discussed combining this tour with a tour of the Reliable Controls LEED

Platinum building in View Royal and agreed that the Senior Planner and Councillor

Marsh would organize this.

The Senior Planner informed the Committee that Boulevard Transportation Consultants

has been selected by the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) as the consultant to

evaluate existing data and reports relevant to regional transportation, identify gaps in

existing data and make recommendations as to the scope of the subsequent Regional

Multi-modal Transportation Plan. The Senior Planner will notify Committee members of

the date and time of the CVRD meeting and confirm if a Committee member is able to

attend.

5.3 One Cowichan Petition

Reed Early informed the Committee that One Cowichan is gathering petition signatures

to make Cowichan the Solar Capital of BC. The Committee discussed the One Cowichan

June 10, 2015 recommendation to the CVRD and heard that the CVRD was moving

forward with a solar demonstration.

6. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting ended at 10:31 a.m.

________________________________ ________________________________

Signed by

Chair or Member Presiding

Certified by

Recording Secretary

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Cowichan The Solar Capital of BC Recommendations For Local Governments

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This report is intended for elected and unelected officials with local governments in the Cowichan Valley, including First Nations, the Cowichan Valley Regional District, the Municipality of North Cowichan, the City of Duncan, the Town of Ladysmith, and the Town of Lake Cowichan.

For assistance with the research and writing of this report One Cowichan would like to thank Roger Wiles, Catherine Wallace, Susan Tremble, Parker Jefferson, and Gail Calderwood. We would like to thank Patricia MacGregor of Zuk Design for layout work.

We would also like to thank LUSH for its support for our local solar outreach work.

One Cowichan is a citizens group working to make the valley a great place to live, work and play. We believe in connecting decision makers with the strong social and environmental values that join us

together as a community, and in celebrating this beautiful place – our home.

OneCowichan.ca

Facebook.com/OneCowichan

@OneCowichan

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Cowichan is already an emerging leader in solar energy. With local government leadership it could do much more. We could become the solar capital of BC. Consider: • Over the next decade, Cowichan will send away over a billion dollars for energy.1 Part of that money that could instead be invested locally, creating economic activity and jobs here at home.

• We are already directly experiencing early signs of climate change with more frequent droughts in Cowichan. Scientists are warning us that at most remaining fossil fuels will have to remain in the ground if we are to have secure life support systems. We have no choice but to switch to alternatives.

• In 2013, BC Hydro announced that electricity rates would increase 28% over 5 years. This is probably just the beginning, though, as grid upgrades and likely cost overruns for the Site-C dam put more upwards pressure on rates over 5 years, with 15.5% of this already in place.

• Over the past 40 years, globally the price of a solar panel per watt has fallen from US$101.05 in 1975 to US$0.61 today. The more that solar costs fall, and the more that BC Hydro rates go up, the less time it takes for solar installations to pay for themselves – currently estimated at about 15 years, or a 4-6% rate of return, depending on various factors.

Recommendations

1 This figure comes from multiplying the number of households in the CVRD (over 30k in 2011) by a $5k average energy bill, estimated here. That would yield $165 million/year, but we’ve rounded down.

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• Electric vehicles and electricity storage are advancing significantly with improvements in battery technology. This is changing the game, disrupting both traditional fossil fuel infrastructure and utility infrastructure.

The transition point is here and local governments have a key role to play, as other cities across Canada are already showing. Here are our recommendations for local governments in Cowichan:

1. Lead By ExampleLocal governments are able to make “patient” investments of the type needed for solar power. Given the solar area that local governments own (from building rooftops to city parks), there’s no reason why local Cowichan governments cannot reduce their electricity bill to zero through investment in solar panels. Beyond that, there are opportunities to switch to electric vehicles for local government needs, and to replace petroleum bills with electricity generated in house.

2. Be InclusiveThere is the potential for Cowichan’s solar transition to be confined to wealthier residents and to outside contractors. Lower income households need assistance with financing and incentives, or risk being left behind. There are also good jobs installing solar systems and other solutions that local people should be trained for, including First Nations. Local co-ops are already playing a role, and can do more.

3. Remove BarriersAre there local rules and regulations that make it difficult for households to install solar panels in Cowichan? One study found that despite promises to be “green,” the City of Vancouver is slow and costly for solar installations. We recommend local governments conduct an audit to ensure they are not throwing up barriers to solar.

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4. RegulateLocal governments can require that developers build developments and homes to be “solar ready,” taking into account home orientation and roof standards. The City of Vancouver now requires new homes to be ready to accommodate electric vehicles.

5. Get Incentives/Disincentives RightLocal governments have always shaped residents’ energy choices through taxing and spending patterns. Servicing new greenfield single family residential developments, for example, drives energy intensive outcomes. Spending money on bike lanes and transit instead of roads does the opposite. Frankly, all local spending decisions should be put through this lens, but for now we recommend following cities like Banff in adopting solar incentives.

6. Establish Local FinancingWhile the economics are improving rapidly, investing in solar is still a medium term payoff. Below we outline how Halifax has established a financing program. Local governments may also explore the concept of “green bonds” for its own solar installations, whereby local investors finance the projects and receive a regular rate of return (see North Island example here). We also believe that local financial institutions have a role to play establishing financing programs (eg. “solar mortgages”), and can get there with encouragement by local governments.

7. Seek Funding PartnershipsThere are grant programs available for local energy solutions and training, but more success will be achieved when local governments – including First Nations – join together, possibly with other community actors, to apply.

8. Bundle Other SolutionsWhile solar electricity is a great, visible indicator of positive change, it isn’t a silver bullet. Nothing is. But, it is a great gateway conversation into other solutions, including insulation, passive solar, water conservation, heat pumps, geothermal, public transit, bike lanes, and electric vehicles. We recommend bundling other solutions, as cities like Halifax have done.

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Eyes Wide Open

The conversation about solar seems to bring out the same kind of people who formerly denied climate change – now suddenly concerned about the environment and alleging eco-abuse by the solar industry. Anything but change.

Yes, producing solar panels and batteries does have impacts. All energy production does. It comes down to choices (eg. a livable climate?) and to working to improve those impacts. Solar panels have been shown to be net positive for greenhouse gas emissions and manufacturers are

starting to implement recycling programs. More must be done, and we must ask that it be done.

Solar energy’s time is here. It is not some theoretical, far-off dream, but a technology that is ready for adoption as a critical piece of Cowichan’s energy puzzle.

As recently as 2012, consultant Geographic Resource Analysis and Science reported almost dismissively to the CVRD that the role of solar in Cowichan’s energy mix was of little consequence. In the 56-page, “Cowichan Valley Energy Mapping and Modelling Report 3—Analysis of Potentially Applicable Distributed Energy Opportunities,” less than three pages dealt with solar photovoltaics. The scant metrics referred to are, by today’s standards, lacking in credibility (see pdf here).

Laudably, the CVRD had commissioned this report in an effort “to increase its energy resilience, as well as reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, with a primary focus on the

Background

9. Structure Yourselves To ActThis is probably the most important recommendation. No offense intended, but good intentions can die a slow and painful death in “study” and in “committee.” Anything that is executed well is put in the middle of the desk of key people to drive, allocated time and resources, and given deadlines for action. We recommend all these things.

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residential sector.” The CVRD had a stated “internal target” calling for 75% of the region’s energy within the residential sector to come from locally sourced renewables by 2050. This target had been developed as a mechanism to meet resilience and climate action objectives.

The motivation for this study was to increase the resilience of CVRD communities to future climate and energy uncertainties and to increase energy self-sufficiency in the face of global and regional challenges. “Overall this strategy will reduce reliance on imported energy and the aging infrastructure that connects Vancouver Island to the mainland.”

It is time for local governments to rededicate themselves to this important policy objective and revisit the significance of distributed solar photovoltaic (PV) technology. Our community is clamouring for action. In recent weeks, hundreds of citizens have signed a One Cowichan petition calling on our locally elected representatives to get involved (see here).

One Cowichan’s aim in circulating this petition was to prove to local government that they have a strong social licence to implement a robust package of local clean energy measures. Some dozens of Cowichan households have already seized on the potential of PV generation and invested in rooftop arrays. BC Hydro now reports that the Cowichan Valley now leads British Columbia in small-scale solar installations.

So, What’s Happening in Cowichan With Solar Energy and Why Is Now The Time To Act?

Just as demand is not uniform, neither is hydroelectric power generation. There are seasonal and year-to-year variations in water inflow and hydroelectric capacity. Hydro reservoirs are typically at their lowest levels just before spring runoff. In North America, this is normally in the March–May timeframe. PV generation does vary over the year and can offset hydro reservoir cycles. Water concerns and Hydro increasing rates will make solar generation a cost effective alternative.

Canada, though not in the running for top PV-installed capacity, does host one of the world’s largest PV power plant in Sarnia, Ontario (see here.) Germany, the globe’s leader in solar power installations, is responsible for half of the solar electricity generated worldwide. The average amount

BC Hydro and Sunshine

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of sunshine per year in Germany is 1500 hours. Here in the Cowichan Valley we receive an average of 1800 hours per year, indicating that our valley is well suited for solar power. Apparently, we already lead the province on private solar installations, showing that the citizens of the valley are enthusiastic about solar. More references here and here.

• The Bulk Buy. There have been two bulk buys of solar panels. Last year, it only took 3 weeks and 30 homeowners to raise $125 000 to buy 864 panels. Peter Nix bought 192 of them and his solar array is about 50% complete today. The second bulk buy ended March 30, 2015, but requests are still coming—so far, about 350 panels and 15 homeowners. Some of these requests are from up-Island so not all of the installations are in the Cowichan Valley, but this also speaks to the potential to create jobs ‘exporting’ solar expertise.

• Viridian Energy Co-operative. This worker-owned co-operative, an alliance of three licensed electrical contractors, a journeyman plumber, and three renewable energy specialists, offers

Local Activity

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expertise in renewable energy and energy recovery options for industrial, agricultural, public sector, commercial, and residential clients. The co-operative provides a vast array of technical services from feasibility assessments to service, maintenance, upgrades, and troubleshooting. Viridian can install and maintain both solar photovoltaic (both grid-tied and off-grid systems) and solar thermal systems (solar hot water). For more information, see here.

• Other Local Elements. We already have a community-owned and operated organization dedicated to the local production, use, and promotion of ethical and environmentally sustainable energy for the local economy. Since 2005, the Cowichan Bio-Diesel Co-operative has supplied 100% biodiesel recovered from recycled cooking oil to its members as a petro-diesel alternative. There has been a positive discussion about expansion into solar. Cowichan Energy Alternatives, founded in 2008, provides energy and greenhouse gas emissions inventories and planning services, renewable energy feasibility studies and implementation, and leadership for community carbon offsetting initiatives. A Climate Action and Energy Plan has been adopted by North Cowichan Council. This plan has recorded our community’s existing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions and identified future trends based on population, land-use, technology, and other factors.

Collectively, these organizations and their expertise will greatly assist us with solar power infrastructure planning. A lot of the local work is already done. But let’s step back a bit to see what we can learn from other communities here in BC and across Canada.

Saskatoon crowd-funded and created Saskatchewan’s first solar co-operative. They sold memberships for $900, which buys one solar panel. The project started with 400 solar panels and members will receive yearly rebates. For more information, see here.

Halifax’s “Solar City” program acquired a $545 000 grant and a low-interest loan from the Canadian Federation of Municipalities ($5.4 million). These funds are loaned by the city to homeowners at low, long-term interest rates to install solar hot water systems. Along with reducing CO2 emissions, the program’s embedded water conservation effort will save more than 30 million litres of water annually. For more information, see here and here.

Other Canadian Cities Taking Leadership

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Banff charges rent to the utilities that use space under the streets. This money was put into an environmental reserve fund and then spent on energy-efficient rebates, hybrid buses, LED street lights, and solar installations on public buildings. Moreover, Banff offers incentives to households that install their own solar systems. For more information, see here, here and here.

Kimberly’s SunMine is the biggest solar field west of Ontario. Construction started officially in July 2014 as part of a $5.3 million project to make use of a contaminated mine site. Project costs are reduced tremendously as all high-voltage power lines and a substation are already in place. SunMine will hold 4000 solar cell modules, mounted on 96 solar-tracking stands, following the sun’s movements and generating electricity. For more information, see here.

Dawson Creek imposed a $100 per tonne levy on greenhouse gas emissions, depositing these funds into the newly created Dawson Creek Carbon Fund. With this money, LED street lights were installed, which use 66% less energy. The city vehicle fleet is being hybridized and solar panels have been installed on many public buildings. For more information, see here.

Gibsons BC Green Team and Sunshine Coast in Transition is exploring the possibilities of a solar co-operative and solar projects. For more information, see here.

T’Sou-ke Nation is producing electricity and hot water from the sun since 2008. Large PV systems were installed on the band’s fisheries office, the band hall and above and beside the community’s canoe shed. Solar hot water systems have been installed on 40 homes and there is a solar powered electric vehicle charging station. 10 members were trained to complete some of the installs and an eco-tourism program invited those outside the community to take a tour of their solar installs. Funding came from 15 different government and non-profit sources including the provincial Innovative Clean Energy Fund, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and Solar BC totalling $1.5 million. For more information, see here. Squamish is interested in becoming an official “Canadian Solar City.” The mayor and many councillors voiced support in principle for a motion to work towards this goal and the City is already working on several “Solar City” requirements. One project is an educational booklet about local possibilities for alternative energy. A Squamish Alternative Energy Group is also actively pursuing this goal. For more information, see here, here, and here. 15

BETTER OFF NORTH COWICHAN

Notes from brainstorming session July 29, 2015 (with a few additional ideas thrown into the mix)

Mandate: 3 public workshops promoting and encouraging

1. home energy conservation,

2. water conservation and

3. GHG reductions

Encourage participation in BETTER OFF North Cowichan program to undertake home

retrofits, such as:

water and energy savings kits

draftproofing

insulation

installation of heat pump and water heater

oil to heat pump conversions

Workshop locations: Crofton

Chemainus

South North Cowichan – possible partnership with City of Duncan

When: late September, early October

Saturdays, 1 pm to 4 pm (3 hours)

Format proposal:

Interactive, life size, household diorama with committee members enacting conservation

measures

include a Kid’s Corner for child minding and education (?in the Living Room? Separate area? )

keep message simple – has more impact

City Green Solutions presentation

? formal lecture or interactive within diorama?

If formal lecture, divide time between interactive segment and sitting and

listening segment with time for questions

Business/Contractor participation:

Include local businesses by general invitations for letters of intent

The Diorama – Committee members to prepare ideas for their “room” for next discussion

Transition Streets manual a resource

- All construction and props to be light and easily transported, erected and dismantled.

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Some Ideas:

- Giant model of a meter showing energy and cost savings with each action.

- Giant BC Hydro bill showing changing payment due.

- Changing EnerGuide rating of home.

- Pretty Posters about Better Off program and resources

- Home Energy Coach to guide people through the house

- Slide show Projections on “walls” of rooms

Bathroom - Sandy

Kitchen – Gail and Cam

Incorporate Energy and Water Saving Kits - aerators

Capturing dishwater to water plants – handwashing vs dishwasher

Rinsing (local) veggies – capture water

Using toaster oven instead of full oven

Lids on boiling pots

Energy star rated appliances

Etc.

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Living room – Darlene?

stationary bike generating electricity for music machine)

weatherstripping windows etc.

ductless heat pump?

phantom electricity

power bars

Outdoors – garden and garage – Katherine, Reed

Solar panels on roof?

Clothesline

Drip micro-irrigation

Active transportation options

Model showing journey of water from household and driveway to rivers, lakes and ocean

Hero Characters wandering the “set” and interacting with all.

Power Pig Watt Woman Kilo Joulie Water Woman and her sister Flo

Pledges

Advertising

1. Social media

2. Paid advertising

3. Mail outs

4. Giveaways?

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For the Kid’s Corner? The kids could decorate it and add features

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GREEN COMMUNITIES

COMMITTEE

AUG 0 5 2015

The District of North Cowichan

Ref: 158953

July 29, 2015

His Worship Mayor Jon Lefebure

and Members of Council

District of North Cowichan

Box 278

Duncan, BC V9L3X4

Dear Mayor Lefebure and Councillors:

On behalf of the joint Provincial-Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM} Green Communities

Committee (GCC), we would like to extend our congratulations for successfully achieving your goal of

corporate carbon neutrality for the 2014 reporting year.

As a signatory to the Climate Action Charter, you have demonstrated your commitment to work with the

Province of British Columbia and UBCM to take action on climate change and to reduce greenhouse gas

emissions in your community and corporate operations.

The work that your local government has undertaken to reduce and offset its corporate emissions

demonstrates significant climate leadership. As British Columbia begins developing a new climate action

plan, your leadership and commitment continues to be fundamental to the achievement of our

collective climate action goals. For more information about BC's Climate Leadership Plan, go to

http://www.newsroom.Eov.bc.ca/2015/05/bc-names-climate-leadership-team.html.

The GCC was established under the Charter to support local governments in achieving their climate

goals. In acknowledgement of the efforts of local leaders, the GCC is again recognizing the progress and

achievements of local governments such as yours through the multi-level Climate Action Recognition

Program. A description of this program is enclosed for your reference.

Asa Charter signatory who has met the goal of corporate carbon neutrality for the 2014 reporting year,

you have been awarded Level 3 recognition - 'Achievement of Carbon Neutrality'.

In recognition of your significant achievements, the GCC is very pleased to provide you with carbon

neutral branding for use on websites and letterheads. An electronic file with the 2014 logo will be

provided to your Chief Administrative Officer. Also enclosed is a 2014 Climate Action Community

Carbon Neutral window decal, for use on public buildings.

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Mayor Jon Lefebure

and Members of Council

Page 2

Congratulations again on your achievement. We applaud your leadership and wish you continued

success in your ongoing commitment to the goal of corporate carbon neutrality, and your efforts to

reduce emissions in the broader community.

Sincerely,

Gary Paget

Acting Assistant Deputy Minister

Local Government Division

Ministry of Community, Sport and

Cultural Development

Enclosures

■5.

Gary Maclsaac

Executive Director

Union of British Columbia Municipalities

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■ ■

COMMITTEE

GCC Communique on the Climate Action Recognition Program

In acknowledgment of the ongoing efforts of local leaders, the joint Provincial-UBCM Green

Communities Committee (GCC) is pleased to be continuing the Climate Action Recognition

Program for BC local governments for the 2014 reporting year. This is a multi-level program that

provides the GCC with an opportunity to review and publicly recognize the progress and

achievements of each Climate Action Charter {Charter) signatory.

Recognition is provided on an annual basis to local governments who demonstrate progress on

their Charter commitments, according to the following:

Level 1: Progress on Charter Commitments

All local governments who demonstrate progress on fulfilling one or more of their Charter

commitments will receive a letter from the GCC acknowledging their accomplishments.

Level 2: Measurement

Local governments who have completed a corporate carbon inventory for the reporting year and

demonstrate that they are familiar with the Community Energy and Emissions Inventory (CEEI)

will receive a 'Climate Action Community 2014' logo, for use on websites, letter head and similar.

Level 3: Achievement of Carbon Neutrality

Local governments who achieve carbon neutrality in the reporting year will receive a 'Climate

Action Community - Carbon Neutral 2014' logo, for use on websites, letter head and similar.

To be eligible for this program, local governments will need to complete a Climate Action

Revenue Incentive Program (CARIP)/ Carbon Neutral Progress Survey and submit it online to the

Province in accordance with the program guidelines. Determination of the level of recognition

that each community will receive will be based on the information included in each community's

annual CARIP report. Additional information on CARIP reporting is available online at:

www.c5cd.fiov.bc.ca/lgd/greencommunities/carip,htm .

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BC CLIMATE ACTION

COMMUNITY 2014

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