By Sebastian Kannally, Times Chronicle
A renewable and electrification feasibility study is set to be undertaken in the Okanagan and Similkameen along with other sustainability projects headed by the Regional District of the Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS).
The Renewable and Electrification Feasibility Studies contract was awarded to Sustainable Projects Group for $422,768 by the RDOS.
The Natural Resources Canada Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program grant will provide 100 per cent of the funding for this project. This grant funding application was approved back in 2023.
The RDOS explained in their report that 40 per cent of their emissions were attributed to buildings and facilities. If the RDOS is to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by the provincial target of 40 per cent by 2030 then they have to deal with this fact.
Implementing the project will establish a pathway to reach net-zero emissions through improved energy efficiency of RDOS buildings and facilities, and reducing costs and greenhouse gas emissions through the electrification of buildings that currently rely on fossil fuels for heating and energy.
This pathway to net-zero emissions will require building retrofits to be identified and outlined so that grant funding can be sought to upgrade and update facilities and buildings.
Along with the RDOS board granting the contract for the upcoming feasibility study at their June 13 meeting, they also received an update on other sustainability projects that they are currently working on.
Matt Weller, Sustainability Manager, provided the Community Services Committee an update on electric vehicle charging stations, energy efficiency workshops and an extreme heat planning and response project.
Weller explained that the RDOS held some community energy efficiency workshops with the support of Fortis BC. These workshops have focused on building and retrofitting energy efficient homes. These workshops have already taken place in Penticton and Okanagan Falls, and an upcoming Community Leaders Virtual Workshop is planned for Fall 2024.
Another project that is ongoing is the Extreme Heat Planning and Response Project. This project, which was funded by grants from the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) is aimed at assessing and strategic planning across communities in the region with the aim of enhancing the region’s resilience to extreme heat.
This work includes mapping heat risk areas, identifying vulnerable populations, developing recommendations for upgrades to existing community infrastructure as cooling centres, and identifying opportunities for new policies for enhancing community health, emergency response and resilience to extreme heat, to name a few.
Weller explained that the draft mapping and engagement sessions are complete and they will be back with a board presentation from the project team in October 2024.
Lastly, Weller updated the board on the plans for electric fleet charging stations within the RDOS. This project is intended to fill infrastructure gaps in the region for electrification. Part of this project is developing RDOS fleet-only charging across the region.
These charging stations will have a pay per use public rate, Weller explained, and there will also be a lowered RDOS charging rate for their fleet.
