GHGs down 7 since 2007
The City of Kelowna is looking to adjust its targets when it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Back in 2007, the city took its first major step in reducing emissions, by signing onto the BC Climate Action Charter.
Between then and 2016, the city's corporate operations registered a 7% decrease in emissions, despite a 3% increase in annual consumption thanks to new assets and a 17% increase in population.
The city credits the reduction to actions taken after drafting a local plan in 2011. That includes big changes to the city's vehicle fleet, which now has 1 electric and 19 hybrid vehicles, with 20% of the fleet using bio-fuel.
The wastewater treatment plant also dropped 660,000 kilowatt hours per year, starting in 2012.
The city says if staff hadn't undertaken those initiatives over the last decade, emissions would be 17% higher, and utility costs would rise by $1 million.
Others include LED lights at Capital News Centre, and heating upgrades at Rutland Arena which are saving $30,000 a year.
The major project this year is the conversion of streetlights to LEDs. That'll create 62% reduction in annual kilowatt hours, which is equal to the consumption of more than 400 homes.
That 2011 plan had committed to having 22% fewer emissions, when compared to 2007, by the end of last year.
In its new energy and emissions plan, staff want to see an adjusted target of a 12% reduction by 2022.
If that goal is reached, the city says it would save $4 million over those five years.
