While attending the Union of BC Municipalities’ annual convention in Vancouver Sept. 16–20, North Cowichan earned province-wide recognition for new policies the municipality adopted in an effort to proactively address climate change.

The Community Energy Association (CEA) named North Cowichan as the winner of its 2013 Climate and Energy Action Award [for] Community Planning and Development, citing the development of North Cowichan’s Climate Action and Energy Plan and its climate action reserve fund as “an important example for other local governments in B.C.”

Minister of Environment Mary Polak presented the award on behalf of the CEA to Mayor Jon Lefebure.

Lefebure  said he and his fellow North Cowichan councillors are “very excited — it’s good news for us, and it will open a lot of doors for future programs and grants.

“It’s recognition that we do have a very progressive plan, and it means we’ll get more help in fulfilling that plan over the next three to four decades.”

In conjunction with industry partners, the provincial and federal governments sponsor programs that help communities reduce their energy consumption, Lefebure said, and awards like the CEA’s will improve North Cowichan’s odds of receiving future grant funding.

North Cowichan developed its strategy for contending with climate change by applying an “economic lens” to its CAEP, Lefebure explained. By doing so, the municipal council managed to convince “those people who might be skeptical of climate change and how serious it is to come on board just for the economic advantage [the plan] gives to our citizens.”

By adopting a “very strategic” approach to future planning, “we get the greenhouse gas reduction, but we’re able to justify the expense on a purely economic basis,” he added.

As an example of how North Cowichan might accomplish both goals simultaneously, Lefebure mentioned the potential replacement of Fuller Lake Arena’s 40-year-old ice-making equipment. By making a capital investment in a new, highly efficient ice-making system, the energy savings might cover the cost of the equipment “over five or 10 years,” Lefebure said, “and after that it’s paying us a dividend.”

“We can reduce our greenhouse gases and also save our citizens money,” he added.

North Cowichan raised taxes by half a per cent last year to fund its energy-saving projects, Lefebure said, and they plan to channel any savings produced by their investments in energy efficiency back into the fund.

According to their consultant’s estimates, Lefebure said that by investing an increasing amount each year rising to $25.5 million per year in 2050, North Cowichan will save as much as $130 million in 2050 alone. Those estimates are based on the community’s investment and savings as a whole, Lefebure added, and not just the savings earned by the municipal government.”

Lefebure credited the successful completion of North Cowichan’s CAEP to the efforts put forth by municipal staff, Coun. Kate Marsh and the community’s volunteer-run Climate Action Committee,  and the expert guidance provided by Sustainability Solutions Group.

“A lot of people put an effort into this,” he said. “It’s a group effort.”

 

Ladysmith Chronicle