Town to complete eco-friendly projects thanks to Energy Revolving Fund

October 17, 2024 · 0 Comments

Lighting, heater retrofits among projects

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Town of Caledon will soon undertake some energy and greenhouse gas-saving projects.

Caledon has a Corporate Energy Revolving Fund (CER) that is self-sustaining. Money is added to the fund from revenue generated by three town-owned solar projects, energy incentives received by the town, and repayments from CER-funded projects by the energy savings realized on utility operating budgets.

At Caledon Council’s October 15 planning and development committee meeting, Councillors approved the use of $207,711.20 from the fund to complete five projects.

The projects include a lighting retrofit at the Caledon Centre for Recreation and Wellness; retrofitting end-of-life gas heaters to electric serving arena stands in Pad 2 at the Caledon East Community Complex; retrofitting end-of-life gas furnaces and a water heater at the Albion Bolton Community Centre to air source heat pumps and an electric water heater; and changing a failed gas water heater to an electric one at the Lloyd Wilson Centennial Arena.

Ward 4 Councillor Nick de Boer said the CER is great for Caledon as it continues to save taxpayers money and contributes to Caledon reducing its greenhouse gas emissions.

A Town of Caledon staff report notes that projects funded by the CER contribute to Caledon’s energy and emissions goals as set out in the council-approved Corporate Greenhouse Gas Reduction Framework.

Staff estimate that the projects that will be completed will save 700,478 equivalent kilowatt hours of energy, remove 120.71 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, and lower operating costs by $37,069.23 annually.

Staff said the amount of energy saved is enough to power 25 Canadian homes for an entire year, and that the emissions reduction is equivalent to removing 37 passenger vehicles from the road permanently.