Title
Climate Change Action Projects
Proposed Motion
1. That Council approve $483,000 for climate change action projects to be included in the 2025 budget, subject to grant funding approval, as presented.
2. That Council fund up to $120,000 of the climate change action projects from the Environmental Restricted Surplus account, as presented.
3. That Council direct administration to apply to the Municipal Energy Manager Program, the Community Buildings Retrofit Initiative and the Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation Initiative for the remaining project costs, as presented.
Body
Administration Recommendation
Administration supports the proposed motion.
Purpose
To implement Council's strategic direction while capitalizing on temporarily available grant funding, administration is proposing a Facilities Energy Management Plan project (including a temporary two-year Municipal Energy Manager) and a Climate Adaptation Plan Project to begin in 2025. The County has the opportunity to capitalize on $363,000 in grant funding to improve lifecycle planning, reduce operational risks and realize annual cost savings.
Summary
At the Strategic Planning Session in March 2024, Council indicated preliminary support for a Climate Change Adaptation Plan and corporate emissions reductions.
A two-pronged approach is proposed:
(1) A Parkland County Adaptation Plan would reduced the risks of climate change related to municipal assets, services and operations in addition to the economy, local ecosystems, and the health and well-being of residents.
-This could be partially funded by the FCM Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation Grant (up to 60%) which is expected to be open for applications this Fall.
(2) A Facilities Energy Management Plan would implement cost and energy savings as well as GHG reductions for County buildings. It would provide funding, coordination, and capacity to complete work that is already planned and budgeted in building lifecycles, in a more efficient way.
-This could be partially funded by the MCCAC Municipal Energy Manager (MEM) Program (40-80% of MEM salary to a maximum of $120,000 plus up to $60,000 in retrofit rebates), currently open for applications.
-And partially funded by the FCM's GHG Reduction Pathway Feasibility Study program (80% of eligible costs) currently open for applications.
Historical Information:
From 2019 to 2023, the MCCAC administered Round One of the MEM program. During this period, 26 energy managers supported 37 communities influencing over $2-million in annual energy savings. This opening is for those municipalities like Parkland County that have not yet had the opportunity to participate in the program.
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal/Staff Implications:
Pillar D: Responsible Leadership
Pillar C: Respected Environment and Agriculture
Financial Impact:
Cost: $483,000
Source of Funding: Environmental Reserve: $120,000, Grants: $363,000