MINTO – The Town of Minto saved 29 per cent on energy costs and achieved a reduction of 25% in greenhouse gases generated through a range of conservation and green energy initiatives between 2015 and 2017.
Treasurer and deputy CAO Gordon Duff reported at the June 19 council meeting that the town created a conservation and demand management energy plan in 2014 in response to provincial requirements, which also compel the town to update the plan by July 1, 2019.
“Town staff worked diligently from 2015 to 2017 to save $229,974.25 (29%) and 165,641kg (25%) of greenhouse gases through a range of conservation and green energy initiatives that have had either a neutral or favourable impact on service levels,” the report states.
“This work has been facilitated by the entire staff team with implementation by technical staff in recreation (Al Carr), roads (Mike McIsaac), water (Todd Rogers and formerly Wayne Metzger), and wastewater (Mark Robertson) and administration by treasury and public works staff (Gordon Duff, Janet Klemp and Jackie Hymers).
“We want to recognize these contributors for the hours of time they have invested in bringing these financial and environmental results to fruition.”
“Really we’ve done a lot of stuff,” Duff told council. “The big win is replacing the street lights, with LED that accounts for a huge part of the savings.”
The town has also utilized variable speed motors in mechanical systems, installed water meters for over 2,000 residential customers, upgraded refrigeration systems and windows at local arenas, and taken advantage of solar energy through the provincial government’s since-cancelled FIT and Micro-FIT programs.
“In the last five years we’ve done a lot of the major capital-intensive things,” said Duff.
“Going forward,” he explained, “It’s the old cliché, we’ve done the low-hanging fruit, so now it’s doing the more intensive things …. Basically using what we’ve got better.”
Duff noted energy bills may not be “a lot lower” than when the town first implemented the plan, but they are substantially lower than they would have been if the changes hadn’t been made.
“It’s been a worthwhile thing,” said Duff. “It saved us money and we’re environmentally responsible.”
“Take your hat off to yourself and your staff working together,” said deputy mayor Dave Turton.
Council approved the 2019 update to Minto’s energy conservation and demand management plan, which includes measures aimed at generating savings the range of 2% of the town’s tax-supported budget as a result of future energy initiatives, or about $80,000 to $100,000, over the next five years.
