The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has signed off on a new agreement with the Sunshine Coast Community Solar Association (SCCSA) to perform an energy audit of the regional district’s facilities.
The association first approached the local government with the offer in April, after SCRD staff recommended redirecting energy saving efforts from the Gibsons and Area Community Centre to other facilities, since “it was not clear if this building was the best place to spend scarce capital,” SCCSA director Gerry Pageau explained in a letter addressing the board.
At the April 15 SCRD meeting, Pageau said the non-profit has received a grant for a student internship of three months. He told the SCRD planning and community development committee that the association would volunteer to review the energy use of SCRD buildings, and identify shovel-ready projects and associated costs for when infrastructure grants become available.
The objective would be to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and long-term operating costs, improve energy efficiency and increase building resiliency. By creating a priority list of energy-saving opportunities, the association and SCRD would know where to direct effort more efficiently.
The project will also explore the feasibility of solar energy on SCRD buildings, and electric vehicle charging potential.
At the May 20 planning and community development committee meeting, directors voted unanimously to allow the project to go ahead, and partner with the association for up to seven months for the energy audit.
During the project, the SCRD will bear the responsibility for volunteer safety on SCRD sites. Those volunteers on site will need to follow the district’s safe work procedures.
Elphinstone director Donna McMahon said at the meeting that she was delighted to see the audit move forward.
