Electricity

While the majority of electricity used in BC has a relatively low greenhouse gas (GHG) impact, reducing electricity use is still a key strategy in reducing the other impact of electricity generation, such as land and habitat loss. It is also a key strategy to reduce energy costs to individuals, businesses, industry and the City.

GHGs from total community electricity use (2006): 3,002 tonnes

GHGs from municipal operations electricity use (2004): 242 tonnes

South Peace Community Multiplex (2007):                                 92 tonnes

Total:                                                                                    334 tonnes           

Cost of electricity for municipal operations (2004): $514,000

Cost of electricity for South Peace Community Multiplex (2007): $232,000

Total:                                                                                    $746,000

Community wide actions

Brief description and links to:

Eco Energy oee.nrcan.gc.ca

Live Smart BC www.gov.bc.ca/empr

100,000 Solar Roofs

Because of our early adoption of solar technology in BC, we were asked to chair a task force called "The 100,000 Solar Roofs Policy Task Force" which will act as a deployment strategy to incorporate solar energy into British Columbia's energy portfolio. The task force has submitted its final report to the Province, outlining a series of recommendations for moving forward with the 100,000 solar roofs project. For more information www.solarbc.ca

Municipal operations actions

Conservation

• Building audits and retrofits - Dawson Creek audited 7 municipal buildings
• Energy Audits report from DSE (attached)
• Street lights - See "Our Community issue" for story on it.
• Traffic lights - All City owned traffic lights have been replaced with LED technology.

On-site renewables

• Solar photovoltaic (solar PV) - Dawson Creek has been exploring the potential for solar PV installations for various uses in the city. We have completed a report [link to pdf Solar Potential in Dawson Creek] on the solar potential for Dawson Creek that has indicated that there is significant solar potential for both solar hot water and solar PV in Dawson Creek.
  Solar Potential in Dawson Creek (4,256 KB)

Currently, Dawson Creek has led the way with the installation of many solar PV units across the community:

• Traffic signs - 3
• Pedestrian Crossing -1
• Bus Stops - 12
• Trail Lights - 4

• Wind - Dawson Creek is currently monitoring wind potential for the city to determine if on-site wind would be feasible in the community.
  Wind Power Potential for Dawson Creek (3,340 KB)

Education

• Northern Lights College - Dawson Creek has been working with Northern Lights College to develop curriculum around solar PV technology. As a result of the City's involvement, the College already offers solar hot water installation training.
• Northern Environmental Action Team (NEAT) - Dawson Creek has been working in conjunction with NEAT to provide education to City staff on a variety of sustainability issues, including energy conservation.

Policies

Green Buildings Policy - Dawson Creek's Green Building Policy (338 KB) outlines the potential to retrofit existing municipal buildings using green building programs available provincially and federally.