Action Plan - FCM

Town of Banff Local Action Plan
Responsibility Operations Manager
Ease of
Implementation:
Capital /
Development
Costs:
Under this option, the Town would set up its own energy utility. Large energy users
such as those mentioned above would need to be consulted to gauge their interest in
researching this potential initiative. There may also need to be a survey of the
community or referendum (possibly during the next municipal election).
Option 1 would have a moderate to somewhat difficult level of implementation as it
involves coordination with outside organizations, and a significant commitment of
time.
Option 2 would be fairly difficult to implement, as it requires coordination with
outside organizations and setting up a municipal utility, which requires the
establishment of a corporate organizational structure. However, the benefits and
ability of the municipality to influence greenhouse gas emissions from electricity
consumption would increase substantially.
There would be no capital investment required.
On-going/
Operational Costs:
The green power pool initiative would likely require allocation of 20% of a full-time
manger position for a six month period (at an approximate cost of $6000).
There would be no ongoing operational expenses other than human resourcing costs.
Ongoing resourcing requirements would be minimal and could be incorporated into
existing responsibilities.
Pay-back: Residents or the Town would be eligible for GHG emission reduction credits (ERCs)
as a result of this initiative. The details of emissions trading systems are currently
being defined, however an ERC is currently valued at about $10 per tonne of GHG.
Therefore the community members would be eligible for $10,000 to $50,000 of
credits.
GHG emission Medium: If the Town can successfully encourage the conversion of 1% to 5% of total
reduction potential: electricity purchases to green power, this would result in the avoidance of more than
1000 to 5000 tonnes of GHGs.
Other Benefits: • The community's contribution to air quality concerns relating to fossil fuel based
electricity will be reduced.
• The community would be supporting development of renewable power business in
Alberta.
Further
• A Green Electricity Buyer’s Guide is available on the Friends of the Environment
information/ case (Canada) website: www.foecanada.org/greenenergy/ge_buyersguide_home.htm
studies:
• Toronto Hydro, which distributes 20% of Ontario’s electricity provides a green power
portfolio to their customers through Toronto Hydro Energy Services. (See:
www.torontohydro.com/energyservices/index.cfm)
• American Public Power Association (APPA) in the U.S, which is the service
organization for more than 2,000 local publicly owned electric utilities. There are more
than 250 publicly owned electric utilities across the United States, and nearly 50 state
and federal power agencies. A list of these can be viewed at
http://www.utilityconnection.com/
• The City of Aspen is offering wind energy to all its customers without a rate increase.
Aspen's City Council has established a goal of obtaining 75% of the city's electric
power needs from renewable energy over the next 10 years. Currently, 50% of the
electricity consumed in Aspen comes from renewable resources.
www.awea.org/wew/848-1.html
The City of Austin GreenChoice program gives consumers the option to buy electricity
from new wind energy and landfill gas power plants, as well as from existing and new
solar installations. Participants will pay a small premium for the service, averaging $4
per month on their electric bills. www.austinenergy.com/greenchoice/
The Sheltair Group Page
Sept 2003
74