Energy Conservation and Demand Management

Under the Electricity Act, 1998 all municipalities must comply with O. Reg. 507/18 - Broader Public Sector: Energy Reporting and Conservation and Demand Management Plans. This regulation requires the City to compile and submit their energy consumption data annually and to develop an Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan.

The City’s first annual Energy Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report, was due July 1, 2013, and subsequent reports have been due by July 1st annually. These reports are a compilation of energy consumption data (electricity and natural gas) and resultant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for all City-owned facilities that are heated and/or cooled from the calendar year two years previous (i.e., 2011 data reported in 2013, 2012 data reported in 2014 and so on). As of 2019, the report must be submitted by July 1st annually to the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines.

The second requirement of O. Reg. 507/18 involves the preparation and implementation of an updated Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan every five years. The plan must outline any new objectives and report on the outcome of previously recommended actions, be endorsed by Council and posted on the City's website and made available to the public by July 1. 

An Energy Conservation Committee, comprised of staff from multiple city departments and a member of Council, has been formed, and meets regularly to review the City's obligations under O. Reg. 507/18, as well as to focus efforts in meeting the requirements. 

The City of Port Colborne's annual Energy Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reports are available free of charge at the Engineering and Operations Centre, located at 1 Killaly Street West, or by clicking on the link below:

Annual Reports:

2017 GHG Emissions Report

2016 GHG Emissions Report

2015 GHG Emissions Report

2014 GHG Emissions Report

2013 GHG Emissions Report

2012 GHG Emissions Report

2011 GHG Emissions Report

On June 24, 2019, Council approved the City's second Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan.  Highlights of the Plan include:

Vision Statement

Commitment

The City of Port Colborne aims to lead the community by example, and therefore commits to the following: 

1)    Allocation of the resources necessary to develop and implement a strategic energy management plan, aimed at reducing our energy consumption and its related environmental impact

2)    Promotion of responsible energy management throughout the City, implementing economically viable energy conservation projects and renewable energy initiatives where possible

3)    Compliance with legislated environmental requirements and standards

4)    Continual improvement of the Plan and its projects and initiatives

The vision and subsequent commitments of the Plan outline the approach towards improving energy management within City facilities and act as a foundation for the remainder of the Plan.

Goals

The energy conservation goals set forth by the City of Port Colborne are long-term, high level strategies that support the energy vision of the City.  They provide a framework within which conservation and demand management objectives have been developed.

The goals are as follows:

1)    Provide the leadership necessary to promote a culture of energy conservation throughout City facilities

2)    Reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions through energy conservation and management

3)    Continuously improve the energy efficiency of City facilities and processes

4)    Seek opportunities to utilize renewable energy sources where feasible and practical

Focus Areas

In order to better categorize and manage the objectives of the City, focus areas have been generated based on the goals and overall vision. These focus areas include:

·         Organizational Integration

·         Facility Energy Management

·         Energy Plan Management

·         Energy Data Management

·         Energy Supply Management

·         Procurement

·         Renewable Energy

Quantitative Goals – 2019-2024

New for the 2019-2024 Plan, are a set of four quantitative goals with respect to energy management:

 Detailed Objectives are provided by viewing the Full Plan

For more information, please contact:

Darlene Suddard
Environmental Compliance Supervisor
1 Killaly Street West
Port Colborne, ON
L3K 6H1

Phone: 905-835-2901 x 256
Fax: 905-835-6800

Email Darlene Suddard