An in-depth study by the District of Squamish and the Community Futures Development Corporation of Howe Sound into the area's future energy needs received a much-needed financial boost from the provincial government this week.
West-Vancouver-Garibaldi MLA Joan McIntyre was in town on Tuesday to present Mayor Ian Sutherland with a cheque for $10,000. The money will be used for the "Bridging to the Future" program, which is intended to create a reliable 30-year energy and development plan for Squamish.
"Bridging to the Future is a fantastic opportunity for a number of municipalities here in Canada," said McIntyre. "It's international too, with India and China, Europe and Japan involved."
Squamish is the only B.C. community in the scheme, and the grant from the Environment Ministry will be used for a full energy audit and presented to the District at the end of February.
"This is a very proactive, rather than reactive, way of doing business," said Sutherland, who noted that this places Squamish at the cutting edge of considering energy alternatives alongside long-term city planning.
That planning process will begin next month, with results expected to be implemented, to some degree, by the end of the year.
"This will be a base-line analysis of how we use energy here in the district and how that effects greenhouse gas emissions," said Dan McRae of CFDC. "This will then be used to create a business as usual scenario. If we carry down this line that we're currently on, what does our energy efficiency and greenhouse emission levels look like in 2030?"
Once the study is completed it will be brought forth to council where officials will use the information to plot a course for future energy needs and projects.
The grant also enables the District to further pursue other energy programs - a wind power feasibility study, and the Energy Savings Plan, which will provide rebates for members of the public who make their homes more energy efficient.
"With the wind energy program we have a metrological monitor on Alice Ridge measuring wind patterns there," said McRae. "We're measuring to see whether a wind project would meet accepted industry standards and for climate data. After a year of study we will have enough data to see if a business plan would be feasible."
The wind study program has been in operation for five months, and should be completed by mid-summer.
The other energy program, the Energy Savings Plan, can begin helping homeowners and developers who have property built prior to 1990 immediately.
"Because we secured this last grant we became eligible as a community for this program," said McRae. "We're fortunate because we were on a tight timeline, with the chance to join this expiring on March 3, and it being on a first come first serve basis."
The program will provide property owners with an energy audit. This audit will look at what the owner can do to make the building more energy efficient.
"By going through this audit they'll be able to access rebates on different types of products, and grants for different projects," said McRae.
What people can receive back in rebates or be aided with purchasing up front is dependent on the net energy savings of the renovation.For new homeowners the program will allow them to have their building plans pre-screened to see how they could be changed to be made more energy efficient.To arrange for an energy audit or to have your building plans screened, call 1-866-381-9995.
