On October 29th, 2018 the City of Regina (“City”) voted on its proposed Renewable City Strategy (“Strategy”). The Strategy provides a roadmap ensuring that the City is powered 100 percent through renewable energy sources by the year 2050.
The City approved a motion for the City to be 100 percent reliant on renewable energy by the year 2050. The goal is for the City to rely on its unique natural advantages such as wind and solar power in reaching this target. The proposed plan also includes moving its public transit system to electric buses.
What is notable is that there are numerous other Canadian municipalities are taking steps towards achieving a goal of 100% renewable energy.
The City of Edmonton is shifting to renewable energy and is developing a plan to cut carbon emissions in half and shift to 100% renewable electricity for city operations by 2030. Edmonton is planning to purchaser 440 electric buses and retrofit 100 city buildings.
The Township of Banff has issued are report providing options for 100% renewable electricity and heating.
The City of Vancouver adopted its Renewable City Strategy adopted in November 2015 which we have previously blogged on and was the first in North America to create a comprehensive 100% renewable energy target. Following the adoption of the strategy Vancouver has developed an electric vehicle charging infrastructure strategy, enacted a zero emissions building plan, agreed to expand its Neighbourhood Energy Utility.
The City of Victoria adopted a 100% renewable energy target in August 2016 and unanimously approved a Climate Leadership Plan with the goal of reaching an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050. Victoria adopted the new BC Energy Step Code and has installed cycling infrastructure.
In British Columbia the City of Nelson is also home to Canada’s first community solar garden that is committed to 100% renewable energy. There are numerous other municipalities in British Columbia moving towards 100% renewable energy.
In May 2018 the City of Guelph unanimously approved a 100% renewable energy target that includes water, waste management, city vehicles, buildings and transit. This proposal is to work in conjunction with other projects with the goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, developing retrofit programs, residential solar panels and conversion of city transit buses to electric power.
The County of Oxford has remained committed its 100% renewable energy plan that has an emphasis on green buildings. In June 2018 Oxford County cut the ribbon on a new net-zero Oxford County Waste Management and Education Centre located at the Oxford County landfill. The new building is fully electric and includes a solar photovoltaic system that generates as much or more energy than the building needs. The County also is committed to the construction of more than 50 electric vehicle charging stations.
These are just a few communities who are moving towards some form of 100% renewable energy, there are numerous others implementing similar programs.