BC Hydro pulled the plug on funding for the Sunshine Coast Regional District's (SCRD) community energy manager, but the board has expressed interest in keeping him around.
Johan Stroman is the SCRD's community energy manager (CEM). Historically, funding had been made available by BC Hydro to finance his work to reduce energy consumption on the Coast.
Earlier this month, the SCRD announced that the utility had decided to cut short Stroman's term, citing a need to reduce costs.
It was determined that the Coast's lower population and energy usage could not justify Stroman's funding when the utility's decision was made.
"With a small population and low population density, large short term electricity savings now expected by BC Hydro are difficult to achieve," the SCRD announced recently in a written statement. "As a result, the original two-year CEM position will be shortened to 1.5 years, ending early May."
Board chair Garry Nohr said the utility's decision put the board in a difficult position, faced with the need to continue its momentum in achieving energy goals.
Such consideration underlined the board's decision to request that staff explore revenue sources that could be used to ensure Stroman finishes his original term.
Those funding options could make their way to the board sometime this spring in an effort to maintain the CEM's mandate until November.
"There is no question the policy work is important. It just takes longer to see the change BC Hydro is after," Stroman commented.
According to the SCRD, the CEM has been crucial in engaging local businesses about their impact, encouraging residential retrofits and the construction of efficient homes through rebates, bike to work week and providing information for citizens and companies on the Coast.
By funding the three months, it is hoped that Stroman's work can continue uninterrupted into the fall season.
