Green Building Leaders Designing a Renewable Energy Requirement for B.C. Solar West 2011 Claire Beckstead The Pembina Institute

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Green Buildings = low GHGs Cleaner energy Less energy

Project Overview Green Building Leaders Objectives: 1)Work collaboratively with leading local governments and other stakeholders to assist in the design of green building regulations, and 2)Set the stage for the adoption of these regulations in B.C.

Green Building Leaders Partner Communities Campbell River City of North Vancouver Cowichan Valley Regional District Dawson Creek Delta District of West Vancouver Fort St. John Prince George Regional District of Nanaimo Terrace Tofino Whistler

Research Areas Higher energy performance standards in new buildings Minimum energy performance standards in existing buildings Minimum renewable energy standards for new and existing buildings Innovative financing programs

Research Areas Higher energy performance standards in new buildings Minimum energy performance standards in existing buildings Minimum renewable energy standards for new and existing buildings Innovative financing programs

Research to date Research policies approaches GHG modeling for each partner community Cost analysis Legal analysis – jurisdiction

Local Government Jurisdiction Local government have limited tools to implement a local regulations Example: Development Permit Area to require energy efficiency and renewable energy on new developments

Proposed Approach Develop a province-wide renewable energy requirement with an option for local governments to opt-in

What is an RER?

Key benefits of RERs Reduced greenhouse gas emissions and energy use Progress towards net-zero energy Potential to encourage further energy efficiency Potential for economic growth and job creation

Impact of RER in Merton: Combined impact of London’s policy has been a 26% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions - even though the policy only requires a 10% reduction. Costs have been lower than anticipated The pace and scale of development hasn’t changed. The administration’s workload has remained relatively unchanged. Significant growth has been spurred in the renewable technology economy. Energy efficiency investments have increased.

Next Steps Finalize the proposed design for the BC RER Communicate results and develop support for implementation in BC

Thank You

Thank you! Questions? Claire Beckstead ext.228