Energy Conservation Initiatives

2006 Sustainable Pickering Day

We, as a society, have come to recognize the importance of our environment and the fact that our actions have consequences. We no longer can take our resources for granted because as we have learned the hard way, they are a finite supply. The effects of our previous way of thinking are very evident today.

• Smog
• Poor Air Quality
• Climate Change
• Rising Energy Costs
• Diminishing Supplies

There are many reasons why it's important to conserve energy and to use sustainable resources such as:

• A Healthy Environment
• A Viable Economy
• To Meet the Needs of Future Generations

So What Is Your Municipality Doing To Help?
Recognizing how important it is for everyone to make an effort, the City of Pickering is committed to reducing our own energy consumption rates. We all have a role to play and every action, no matter how small, brings us closer to meeting larger goals.

Partners for Climate Protection Program (PCP)
Started in 2006, the Partners for Climate Protection program is a community-wide plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Pickering and is also a foundational program of the Sustainable Pickering vision.

The PCP program is based on a five-milestone framework:

1. Completion of a greenhouse gas (GHG) and energy use inventory and forecast for the community and municipal operations
2. Setting of local GHG reduction targets
3. Development of a Local Action Plan to meet established reduction targets
4. Implementation of actions identified in an adopted Local Action Plan
5. Monitoring and measurement of actions and results

The City of Pickering has completed milestone's one, two and three and is now working on milestone four, implementing the 'Municipal Operations and Community Local Action Plans' - the City's GHG reduction program.

Pickering is the fifth municipality in Ontario who has completed milestone three and we are the only municipality in Durham Region involved in the PCP program (as of July 2006). 

The established local GHG emission reduction targets (milestone 2) are as follows:

• 35 percent per capita reduction in community GHG emissions by 2016 (from 1995 community emission levels)
• 50 percent per capita reduction in municipal operational GHG emissions by 2016 (from 1995 corporate operational emission levels)

Benchmarking Standards for Sustainability
On September 19, 2005, to further reinforce and signify the City's commitment to sustainability, Council passed Resolution #161/05. That resolution provided for the establishment of a Committee tasked with establishing benchmarking standards for sustainability in Pickering. The standards are being derived through a consultation process with wide cross representation from all sectors of the community.

In Phase One, the Committee, with the assistance of staff and Durham Sustain-Ability, completed a number of tasks, including:

• Established a local perspective on the term "sustainability" based on the three lens approach to sustainability (Environmental, Social and Economic)
• Established and delivered an effective community consultation program including town hall meetings, roundtable discussions and a Sustainable Pickering Day event held in May at the Pickering Town Centre and Pickering Civic Complex
• Launched a "Sustainable Pickering" website
• Developed a conceptual framework for the Sustainable Pickering journey, which identifies a number of areas of interest to the community, under five sustainability objectives. The five objectives are:

1. Healthy Environment  2. Healthy Society 3. Healthy Economy

4. Responsible Development 5. Responsible Consumption

On Monday, June 19, 2006 Council approved the recommendations of the Benchmarking Sustainability Standards Committee to start Phase Two of the program.

The Phase Two work program includes the following:

• Continue to build Sustainable Pickering as the umbrella for all benchmarking, PCP, sustainable neighbourhood planning, and related sustainability work in the City
• Develop specific targets and indicators for each of the areas of interest listed under the City's five objectives of sustainability
• Pursue partnership opportunities, such as the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) Observatory on Sustainable Cities and Urban Communities

Work is on-going on benchmarking sustainability. To learn more log on to sustainablepickering.com

Durham Strategic Energy Alliance
The City of Pickering is a founding member of the Durham Strategic Energy Alliance (DSEA). The DSEA is a non-profit organization comprised of business, government and educational institutions. This group focuses on the advancement of timely, sustainable and reliable energy initiatives and the positioning of Durham as a leader in this sector. Its mission is to foster an energy-friendly environment in Durham Region that is a model for action in Ontario and Canada.

To achieve this mission the DSEA is:

• Facilitating initiatives that market Durham Region as an energy centre of excellence
• Contributing to initiatives which enhance the areas attractiveness as an energy-friendly region
• Educating the community at large on the benefits and opportunities of sustainable energy solutions
• Contributing to the development of human capital and innovation
• Engaging government, leaders and key stakeholders on energy policy
• Initiating actions which contribute to public awareness
• Providing networking opportunities for committed organizations and individuals

Within Our Facilities
To do our part, the City developed and implemented numerous energy saving programs in the facilities you use each day. For example, in 2007 Pickering completed an energy efficiency re-lamping of City Hall that will save almost $70,000 per year in energy costs and over 400 tonnes per year in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In addition, the City of Pickering is undertaking an Energy Audit ++ through AMO and the Ministry of Energy as part of the Municipal Eco Challenge Fund. The Recreation Complex pool lighting and the Whitevale Community Centre lighting was replaced with energy efficient systems. The Civic Complex and Library, Claremont Community Centre, Petticoat Creek Community Centre and Library, East Shore Community Centre and Recreation Complex are now all managed using a Computerized Energy Management System that controls temperatures and operating times. Work is underway to replace T-12 lighting fixtures with more efficient T-8's. As appliances, motors and pumps need to be replaced staff investigate the high efficiency or Energy Star options. For example, when a new chiller, used in arena ice making procedures, was required for Delaney Arena one of the most energy efficient options was selected.

In Community Design
Through planning, design and development we open up opportunities to improve the community. The City is committed to intensifying our downtown through various planning and economic development initiatives.  This will encourage a more vibrant, pedestrian friendly City centre as a focal point for the community.  A strong and vibrant downtown is a key objective of sustainable community planning.

In 2008, the City of Pickering passed a resolution to undertake an Urban Forest Strategy. Urban Forest Strategy is a long range initiative toward climate change adaptation as part of green infrastructure that meets sustainability objectives and promotes improved air and water quality, reduced energy costs, mitigates heat island effects, increases property value, aesthetics, wildlife habitat and invasive species management.

Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan (SNP)
Started in 2006, Sustainable neighbourhood planning seeks to achieve long-term socially, environmentally and economically viable communities through design principles such as:

• Creating socially cohesive and diverse communities through a mix of housing types and employment opportunities
• Promoting alternative transportation and energy
• Promoting efficient use of resources
• Locating residential areas close to recreational and commercial services with pedestrian and cycling connections

Through our Sustainable Neighbourhood Plan, we are developing design guidelines and performance measures to encourage sustainable neighbourhoods. The City of Pickering is using Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design framework for neighbourhood developments (LEED - ND) as a basis for our work.

The LEED system, which is administered in Canada by the Canadian Green Building Council, is based on accumulating points for a prescribed list of criteria. The rating system is divided into 'Credits' and 'Prerequisites', and typically consists of a few prerequisites and many credits. To be certified a project must meet all the prerequisites as well as a certain number of credits, which are optional but contribute to the total points. A certain point total is required for LEED certification and higher point scores are required for silver, gold and platinum certification. Pickering will be developing their own scorecard in order to evaluate the sustainability of a neighbourhood.

In Transportation
Examining automobile care and use is another important component for reducing energy consumption and improving air quality. Automobiles release harmful emissions including, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and volatile organic compounds and therefore, idling vehicles not only contribute to poor air quality and climate change but adverse health effects, harms a car's engine and wastes fuel and money. In February 2004 the City adopted an Anti-Idling By-law (By-law 6297/04).  In June 2005, the City purchased its first hybrid-electric vehicle.  Based on the success of this initiative the City has purchased an additional 4 hybrid vehicles.

Through Education
The City recognizes the importance of providing residents with the tools to make good choices and therefore, we use various methods to educate the public and provide people with information they can use to make smart choices that save energy and money. For example, in 2008 the City of Pickering Mayor and Members of Council supported the provincial initiative to declare May 25th - 31st as Ontario's first Energy Conservation Week and also participated in the international Earth Hour event.

In addition, a resident may fill out a Request for Information form located on the City's website and information will be mailed directly to the person's home for free. Information is available regarding energy efficiency, transportation, lawn care and waste diversion. The goal is to educate residents about the small things that they can do in their day-to-day life that could make a big difference!

What Are We Working On?
Even with the success of our current programs we are always striving to do more to reduce our energy consumption and impact on the environment. These are just a few of the initiatives we are working on for the near future:

• Introduce and utilize the G.I.P.P.E.R.'s Guide to Environmental Purchasing (Governments Incorporating Procurement Policies to Eliminate Refuse). The G.I.P.P.E.R.'s Guide provides recommendations and guidance to City staff at all levels for environmentally responsible procurement.
• Through partnerships we are pursuing the development of a pedestrian bridge over 401 to link the Pickering GO Station with an office tower to be constructed on the north side of the highway, thus bringing jobs to Pickering and making public transit a more convenient option for commuters.