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Creating an energy efficient municipality

The MD of Bonnyville is doing what they can to be more energy efficient, after the province announced a grant opportunity for municipalities.
31.news.MD ICIP
The MD of Bonnyville is applying for a grant that would allow them to hire a energy efficiency manager.

The MD of Bonnyville is doing what they can to be more energy efficient, after the province announced a grant opportunity for municipalities.

“What the province has just come up with is a new grant application for 24 positions they’re funding across the province for a Municipal Climate Change Action Centre (MCCAC)  energy manager. What municipalities can do is apply for this position, and we can do it with other partners. It helps us enhance our buildings to be more energy efficient in our operations as a whole,” explained CAO Luc Mercier during council's meeting Wednesday, June 12.

According to Mercier, the MD has already told the province they're interested, and have reached out to the Town of Bonnyville, City of Cold Lake, and Village of Glendon about getting on board.

The MCCAC Municipal Energy Manager Program would allow the MD to hire someone to work with participating municipalities by looking at energy efficient alternatives for their buildings.

For example, there may be a better way to run their day-to-day operations, Mercier noted, using the Bonnyville Centennial Centre as an example.

“We’re paying large power bills there. We could look at ways where we could be more energy efficient that way."

While Cold Lake and Glendon have already given the thumbs up, the town still has to get a few things in order before agreeing to the collaboration.

“It’s not a bad thing. We’re just trying to do this on two-minutes notice and they’re trying to adjust their filing and talk to their council… That’s why we’re leaving the door open,” Mercier detailed. “It’s hard for administration to process these because we need council approval and the province gives us two weeks to apply for a grant and maximize on it."

For Reeve Greg Sawchuk, it's a great opportunity for the communities to work together.

"For us to go on our own on it, we may not have enough to make it worthwhile, but when you go in conjunction with all of the other municipalities, it becomes more viable."

Mercier added, “We’re recommending the MD take the lead on this, hire this position, the province with the grant, if we get funding, would be paying up to 80 per cent of that positions wages up to $80,000."

The position would be a two-year term, and if successful in its efforts, could be extended.

Mercier explained how the MD would be in charge of filling the position and handling payroll. The municipality would work with the city, village, and possibly the town on the percentage they would contribute towards the position's wage.

The MCCAC grant program was created in hopes of encouraging communities to consider their energy efficiency methods and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“It’s great. I’m happy to see this, and happy to see the government is actually showing some initiative. I’m excited about it. It’s a win-win for everybody,” expressed Coun. Ben Fadeyiw.

In order to receive the funding, the MD must meet certain requirements in terms of who they hire.

Mercier explained, “There are certain qualifications that the province would want for us to meet in order to qualify for the grant, so we would have to do certain things, but we would make sure that person’s qualifications would give us that."

Coun. Marc Jubinville was curious as to whether this position was contingent on the MD receiving the grant funding.

Mercier confirmed if the municipality wasn't granted financial support from the province, they wouldn't hire an energy efficiency manager.

Sawchuk said, "Obviously with the number of buildings we have, and that we co-run as well, the cost of our utilities is quite high. This allows us the ability to get a grant for this position and have that person put in place and save some money at the same time, and I think that's a good thing."

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