City of Calgary supports "green" approaches

Compiled by The Canadian staff

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The City of Calgary has embraced approaches which support quality-of-living considerations, by supporting environmentally sensitive policies and ensuing projects.

The City of Calgary has made a commitment to reduce its corporate greenhouse gas emissions to 6% below its 1990 level by 2012. Several major projects are underway to help us reach that goal.

Green Fleet Initiative

A Vehicle Idling Reduction Policy for City fleet vehicles was recently implemented to minimize the impact our activities have on the environment.

EcoFuel Biodiesel Project

The Calgary Fire Department recently conducted an Ecofuel Biodiesel Demonstration Project. The Fire Department now operates one of its vehicles on biodiesel (B20) blended fuel. Biodiesel is a renewable fuel produced from oil seed crops and waste cooking oils. A B20 mixture emits about 15% fewer greenhouse gases per litre than regular diesel. Thanks to the project's success, a large-scale use of biodiesel is being proposed for the East Calgary Waste & Recycling site and for the Calgro operation thisin spring 2005.

Hybrid Vehicles

The City has also increased our gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle fleet. Hybrid electric engines have an electric motor to augment a standard gasoline engine. In 2004, five GMC Sierra gasoline-electric hybrid pickup trucks were put into service. The City also has a 2002 and 2004 Toyota Prius, gas-electric automobiles. The GMC hybrids are expected to deliver 10-12% improved fuel economy over their standard gasoline counterparts.

Green Power from Wastewater Methane

The City's wastewater treatment operations produce methane, which is a greenhouse gas. The City's Bonnybrook Wastewater Treatment Plant is capturing waste methane gas to produce a significant amount (about 11 million kWh) of "green" power, which is then used on site to power the plant. Annually, this use of green power avoids the emission of over 10,000 tonnes of other greenhouse gases from other fuel sources.

Light Rail Transit

Calgary Transit's Ride the Wind program made Calgary's C-Train (LRT) the first "wind powered" public transit system in North America. Through the purchase of zero-emissions wind energy, 'Ride the Wind' has helped financially support the development of 12 windmills in southern Alberta. Annually, the program is responsible for avoiding the production of 26,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from other fuel sources.

Streetlight Retrofitting

The 'EnviroSmart' streetlight program, initiated by Calgary Roads in 2002, will result in 37,500 residential streetlights being retrofitted to more energy efficient lamps by the end of 2005. It is anticipated that upon completion, the program will enable an annual GHG emission reduction of 16,000 tonnes.

Light Emitting Diode (LED) Traffic Signals

Calgary Roads is also moving ahead with a traffic signal head replacement program, that will utilize Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology. LED traffic heads and pedestrian signals will be installed at all intersections throughout Calgary. The project is expected to result in an annual avoidance of 8,600 tonnes of GHG emissions.

LEED Silver Rating Compliance

The City of Calgary is designing all new City facilities to meet or exceed the Silver Level Rating of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) "green- building" rating system.

So far, two City buildings have been or are being constructed to the LEED Silver Level -- Crowfoot Library, which opened in December 2003 and the Country Hills Multi-Services Centre, currently under construction.

Energy Performance Contracting

The City represents itself as beingo committed to improving the energy efficiency of its buildings and facilities through the use of Energy Performance Contracting (EPC). EPC guarantees the financing of projects through the energy savings achieved by improving building energy efficiency. Upon completion, The City's EPC program will prevent about 60,000 tonnes in GHG emission reductions annually. City staff estimate the program will reduce building energy costs by $7 million annually.

Energy from Landfill Sites

The City's Waste and Recycling Services is moving ahead with its landfill gas capture and energy production project. Landfill gas capture systems will be constructed at two City of Calgary landfill facilities - East Calgary and Shepard. Methane emitted from the landfills will be captured and then used to produce electricity. Electricity produced from landfill gas is "Green Power", as it is a biologically-produced form of energy (biogas). It is anticipated that both projects will be completed in late 2004.

Carpooling in Calgary

In partnership with Commuter Connections, The City has established a Web based carpool/ridesharing program called carpool.ca. Carpool.ca is intended to help Calgarians interested in ridesharing to work or school, find a suitable rideshare partner(s).

Fire Department Energy Challenge

The Fire Department has initiated an Energy Challenge initiative - an incentive-based awareness and behaviour change program that challenges fire stations to reduce their energy consumption. The program's goal is to reduce energy consumption by 7%. In the first year, a 6.8% decrease in energy consumption was achieved.