Energy plans look to lower local emissions

Provincial climate targets underlie the initiative

A pair of energy plans are taking shape in Tumbler Ridge, steering the community towards the province’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals.

“We’re trying to engage the community about what residents and businesses can do to reduce emissions,” explained project coordinator Cariad Garratt, who was in Tumbler Ridge on Feb. 1 to explain the details of a corporate energy plan to council. Garratt also spent a few hours in the community centre, explaining the concept of a community energy plan, which “tends to focus on the realm of local government planning,” she said.

That means looking at options like planning and building compact, walkable communities, and making buildings more energy efficient – a few of the strategies recommended for lowering emissions in Tumbler Ridge. The purpose of both plans is to shape the community around a future where fossil fuels may be scarce or expensive, and to play a local role in minimizing global climate change.

Stantec, the consulting company Garratt works for, has been hired by the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) to help Chetwynd, Pouce Coupe, and Taylor realize the same kind of emissions reductions being looked at in Tumbler Ridge.

“Once (the plan) does get adopted through council, we will work with Stantec to see if they can help us develop some recommended actions for council,” explained chief administrative officer Kim Isaak. “We’re still waiting to get some (emissions) inventories.”

Tumbler Ridge public works operations manager Clark Hazelhurst has been working with the PRRD’s climate action group for about the last ten months, and previous assessment work by Stantec has shown there’s roughly 21,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent being produced by business and residents in Tumbler Ridge each year.

Of that amount, 54 percent comes from road transportation, 39 per cent comes from buildings, and seven per cent comes from solid waste. Garratt said she spoke with about 15 residents at the community centre who shared their thoughts on reducing GHGs locally.