County council is considering buying hydro from a clean energy source – but first it wants to determine if there are saving by retrofitting the council chamber.
The clean power is dearer than the current supply.
Wellington is a member of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and a division of it is the Local Authority Services Ltd. LAS has a mandate to assist municipalities in reducing costs and to increase revenues through economies of scale and co-operative buying.
County Purchasing and Risk Management Manager Mark Bolzon told the county finance committee the county is saving on natural gas and hydro purchases, and he outlined an opportunity to buy hydro that uses clean energy.
“The county’s overall annual consumption of electricity has been reduced from approximately [13.8 million] kilowatt hours in 2006 to approximately [12.4 million] kWh in 2007,” Bolzon said in his report. “We have also seen a decrease in our natural gas consumption, which has gone from approximately [1.7 million] cubic metres in 2006 to [1.6 million] cubic metres in 2007. These volumes are inclusive of all county owned properties, including social housing.”
Bolzon said the rate for hydro is 6.5 cents per kWh for commercial consumers. Because of the county’s participation in the LAS, its hydro rate is 5.9 cents. Similarly, natural gas is 35.1 cents per cubic metre, better than the Enbridge Gas rate of 35.5 cents. He noted, the county, through LAS, pays only 32.5 cents.
He pointed out the LAS has a relationship with Bullfrog Power, the province’s first 100% green electricity provider. Its power comes from clean, renewable sources like wind and low-impact water power.
Bolzon said staff were recommending as part of the county’s leadership in energy and environmental initiatives through the Green Legacy program, one of the county’s main facilities be enrolled in the Bullfrog energy program.
But that power costs 3 cents per kWh more.
“The annual electricity consumption of the administration centre, which includes the court house and the Crown attorney’s offices, is 1.2 million kWh. That would result in an additional annual cost of about $35,900,” Bolzon said.
He said the county could select one part of the building:
– administration centre, at an extra cost of $15,748;
– court house, $11,822; and
– Crown attorney’s office, $8,372.
When county council considered the finance committee’s minutes Jan. 29, there was no firm recommendation about what path to take. The minutes stated staff would return with a report on the efficiency of the administration buildings.
Councillor Lou Maieron wondered if council has a mandate to “secure green sources of power” when it is more costly than other sources. “It’s going to cost $35,900 more than regular power. Shouldn’t we provide services at the lowest possible cost?”
He acknowledged using electricity that leaves no environmental footprint or CO2 emissions has advantages over regular power. He wondered if the county should be “leading by example.”
He also wondered, with economic hardships, does it make sense to pay more.
“I can see the environmental benefits,” he said.
Councillor Chris White said it makes more sense to him to determine if the county buildings are energy efficient.
“Until we retrofit, we shouldn’t be looking at Bullfrog,” he said.
Green said, “We’re not committed at this point.”
Warden Joanne Ross-Zuj said the county will be doing a study before deciding.
