During their April 14 board meeting, Thompson-Nicola Regional District directors adopted an Official Community Plan amendment bylaw that will enable the regional district to work toward the greenhouse gas reduction targets, policies and actions as required by legislation.
“I have concerns that the targets are unrealistic,” commented Tim Pennell, director for Wells Gray Country (Area A). “They might have the effect of lowering greenhouse gas emissions by local government but increasing them for local residents through increased travel. We adopted the minimum targets that the province legislated but even the minimum won’t work in rural areas.”
In 2008, the provincial government added new provisions to the Local Government Act that require local governments to include greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets, policies and actions in Official Community Plans (OCP).
Planning Services developed an amendment package for inclusion in each of the TNRD’s 10 existing OCPs, including Avola, Barriere, Blue River and Clearwater. The textual amendment package includes GHG reduction targets of 10 per cent by 2020 and 33 per cent by 2050 from 2007 levels, as well as policies and actions to support the GHG reduction targets.
