February 2015

Updates

Ontario’s public consultation on climate change announced

Ontario's Climate Change Discussion Paper 2015

On February 12, 2015, the Ontario government launched a climate policy discussion paper to stimulate discussion on addressing climate change. Ontarians are invited to attend public meetings and to provide comments during the 45-day consultation period until March 29 to share their views on provincial climate policy. Ontario’s climate change strategy will include a diverse combination of measures and supporting mechanisms. Putting a price on carbon will certainly become a key tool, as it is in many other jurisdictions including British Columbia, Quebec, California and Europe. For more details read TAF's latest blog.

TowerWise

TAF partners with housing co-op for energy retrofit

Perth Coop

Late february, TAF’s board of directors will consider financing for a major energy retrofit at the Perth Avenue Housing Co-operative. Energy Savings Performance Agreement. Perth Avenue Housing Co-op is an eight-story building with 102 units, located in the Bloor-Junction neighbourhood.

The co-op will receive new energy efficient equipment at no cost with TAF’s repayment flowing from the verified energy savings. Energy conservation measures include a high-efficiency condensing boiler for water heating, programmable thermostats, LED lighting, and more. The project is expected to reduce the co-op’s annual greenhouse gas emissions by 20%.

Real-time energy metering will be installed to track the performance of the new equipment, and project outcomes will be documented in a case study to support development of best practices in energy retrofit design and implementation. This project is part of TAF’s TowerWise Energy Efficiency Demonstration (TWEED) program.

@ TAF

TAF is launching its new web site

TAF's New Website

taf.ca is now live: please check out TAF’s new home on the Internet to find out what local climate champions are doing to reduce carbon in Toronto, and more. And send us comments to let us know what you think.

TAF honours its volunteers

TAF Volunteer Appreciation Reception

Just before Valentine’s Day, TAF’s celebrated its love for its volunteers at a Volunteer Appreciation Event at the KPMG offices in downtown Toronto – thanks to KPMG Partner and TAF volunteer Andrea Baldwin for hosting this event. Read about the volunteers honoured that evening in our blog post: TAF’s Secret Weapon.

City Desk

Comments welcome for Climate Change Subcommittee meeting on March 2nd

A hydrogen refueling station

The new Subcommittee on Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation is inviting public input to set its Terms of Reference. The new subcommittee of the City of Toronto’s Parks and Environment Committee was created on January 12, 2015 and is chaired by Councillor Gord Perks.

Torontonians can submit written comments or deliver a deputation in person at the meeting. Citizens can suggest any future objectives the subcommittee could achieve by December 31, 2016 at the end of its term and/or offer to get involved in the Subcommittee’s work.

The Subcommittee meeting will take place at 7:00 PM on Monday March 2nd 2015, in the Council Chamber at Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen West. For more details on how to participate, visit: livegreentoronto.ca.

Climate Cities

Hydrogen from renewables to power fleet of hybrid electric cars

A hydrogen refueling station©D.Daguier-CG50

A local government in France’s region of Normandy has just opened the country’s first public hydrogen car refill station as part of the Manche county strategy to decarbonize its energy mix.

The county is planning in the future to use hydrogen to store renewable energy from photovoltaics and windmills off its shore in the Channel.

The Saint-Lô refill station — launched on Jan 26, 2015 — will supply the local government’s fleet of 10 hybrid hydrogen-electric vehicles, a modified Renault Kangoo model.

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