Item 3 Briefing Note

Item 3

Briefing Note

Meeting: Committee of the Whole - May 13, 2021 To: Committee of the Whole From: Administration Subject: Member Municipality Climate Change/Environmental Priorities/Initiatives

Background:

As part of the EMRB's 2021-24 Strategic Plan, the Board has committed to embed an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) lens in the policies and practices guiding the work of the organization to meet the triple bottom line and ensure sustainable communities for future generations. At the April 2021 Board Meeting, members moved to have the City of Edmonton motion to explore select ESG opportunities referred to the Committee of the Whole (CW) for further discussion. In order to facilitate meaningful CW discussions and foster a better understanding of local realities, Administration asked that each member municipality respond to a brief questionnaire outlining key environmental priorities. Members' individual responses to the questionnaire are attached in a consolidated document, along with an executive summary. While all EMRB member municipalities have some degree of climate/green objectives, some member municipalities are far along in their planning and implementation while others are at the beginning. A number of different ideas have been put forward as to gains and opportunities for the Region ranging from the establishment of a regional think tank that could be tasked with developing an actionable framework, to specific strategies/initiatives related to land use, waste, water, capital and transportation. While there is an abundance of funding programs to support environmental efforts, few member municipalities have applied and/or have had success in obtaining grant funding. There also appear to be opportunities to leverage collective regional action to access maximum available funding. Approach to the Roundtable Presentation and Discussion During the meeting, each municipality will have up to 5 minutes to share a quick overview of what they identified as priorities in the questionnaire and what opportunities they see for the Region. The Chair will start with the towns, counties, mid-sized cities, finishing with Edmonton. Administration will be using a virtual timer to help members keep track of time. Attachments:

Overview of Member Municipality Environmental Efforts

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SUMMARY OF MEMBER RESPONSES Understanding Local Climate Change/Environmental Efforts Background: On April 8, 2021, the Board referred the City of Edmonton’s motion on ESG opportunities to the Committee of the Whole to “consider and evaluate alignment of this project to the core EMRB mandate, determine whether or not this overlaps with the work of other entities, provide estimate of the time and cost requirements of Board Members and Administration, and explore potential external funding sources” (Motion B2021-30). In preparation for the Committee of the Whole (CW) meeting scheduled on May 13, 2021, and to help facilitate a fruitful discussion, members were asked to prepare and share some information in advance of the meeting. The following pages include a high-level summary as well as the individual responses provided by EMRB members providing an overview of current and planned efforts in member municipalities related to climate change and the environment.

Contents Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................................ 2 Individual EMRB Member Responses ............................................................................................................ 4

Beaumont ...................................................................................................................................................... 4 Devon ............................................................................................................................................................ 6 Edmonton ...................................................................................................................................................... 8 Fort Saskatchewan ...................................................................................................................................... 13 Leduc ........................................................................................................................................................... 15 Leduc County ............................................................................................................................................... 18 Morinville...................................................................................................................................................... 20 Parkland County .......................................................................................................................................... 22 Spruce Grove ............................................................................................................................................... 24 St. Albert ...................................................................................................................................................... 26 Stony Plain ................................................................................................................................................... 29 Strathcona County ....................................................................................................................................... 31 Sturgeon County .......................................................................................................................................... 41

Awareness of Potential Funding Opportunities .......................................................................................... 45

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Executive Summary Overall, while all EMRB member municipalities have some degree of climate/green objectives, some are at the very beginning of planning/implementation while others are much further along.

Tracking Emissions: Approximately half of EMRB members are tracking emissions and have emission target reductions. Municipal Incentives (residents and/or business): Some EMRB members have none, some have one or the other, very few have both. One member, Leduc County, has incentives specifically for agricultural producers. Offsets: No EMRB members are currently using offsets to meet their reduction targets. However, Edmonton and Strathcona County are using different bridging strategies.

EMRB Member Perspectives on Biggest Gains/Opportunities for the Region: A number of different ideas have been put forward as to gains and opportunities for the Region ranging from the establishment of a regional think tank that could be tasked with developing an actionable framework, to specific strategies/initiatives related to land use, waste, water, capital and transportation.

Regional planning / Think Tank: Bringing together innovators, policy supporters and businesses already having success in this file to share stories, ideas and come up with a framework that is doable, measurable and inspires action for the region.

o Regional climate adaptation and mitigation planning would set outcomes and objectives and build upon existing collaboration to ensure jurisdictional outcomes are met. Municipalities capacity can be enhanced and sustained by sharing knowledge while respecting place-based outcomes and objectives.

o Adoption of a region-wide carbon budget along with a climate risk assessment that is implemented in the Growth Plan and implementation actions.

o Economies of scale for different technologies/studies.

o Consistency across the region creating more buy-in for residents.

o Regional collaboration on environmental initiatives. Capital: Promoting energy efficiency in publicly and privately owned buildings; aligning standards on energy efficient buildings that provides a transparent framework and predictable timelines for industry partners on higher levels of building performance. Transportation: Providing more sustainable transportation options, regional transit, and promotion of active transportation over single occupant vehicle use. Charging Stations. Land use: Preserving and enhancing natural areas and systems, including through the integration of gray and green infrastructure. Supporting agricultural producers on adopting sustainable practices. Funding

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natural infrastructure for carbon sequestration and flood and drought mitigation. Creating a regional approach to building climate resilient neighbourhoods. Coordinated land use planning. Waste: Waste reduction / landfill diversion. Waste management drive to zero waste. Support of the circular economy. Water: Long-term protection of watershed quality and quantity. Regional alignment on Intensity, Duration, Frequency (IDF) curve to reflect current and projected precipitation patterns. Continued regional collaboration on erosion monitoring and potential solutions. Master Drainage planning. Other:

o Developing new clean sectors / greener energy production (e.g. blue hydrogen). o Securing long term, predicable funding for agencies like the MCCAC, Alberta Innovates and

Emission Reductions Alberta (ERA) to fund municipal, residential and business energy efficiency improvements.

o Public engagement to build awareness and education to guide behaviour change as we collectively transition to energy and economy diversification and reconnect with our natural world.

Accessing Funding While there is an abundance of funding programs to support environmental efforts, few member municipalities have applied and/or have had success in obtaining grant funding. There also appear to be opportunities to leverage collective regional action to access maximum available funding.

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Individual EMRB Member Responses

Beaumont

Municipality: City of Beaumont

Size (area): 24KM2

Population: 19,236 (2019)

1. Do you have environmental or climate change objectives and/or initiatives included in your

municipal strategic plans? Please provide examples of t initiatives have you undertaken in the last 5 years? What do you hope to accomplish in the next 5 years? The Municipal Development Plan has the “Environmental Stewardship” section to provide a high level direction to deal with environmental matters such as water, air, building and innovation, biodiversity and open spaces. It also directs the City to review and update the 2013 Environmental Master Plan which is currently in the process of updating. Learning from past experience, the City is designing an implementation strategy that is clear, focused, and high priority. The updated Environmental Master Plan will focus on implementation actions in the next 5 years.

2. Has your municipality allocated any budget dollars towards environmental/climate initiatives?

Please provide high-level overview: Yes, the City has an Environmental budget for initiatives such as public awareness and education, an annual Round Up Event, and annual sales of rain barrels, etc. There may be new budget items as a result of the updated Environmental Master Plan.

3. Please list any incentives that your municipality provides: a) To residents: There are rebate programs available such as a low flush toilet rebate. b) To businesses: N/A

4. Is your municipality currently tracking its GHG emissions? If yes,

No, the City does not track GHG specifically. However, the City tracks gas, water and power consumption for City facilities. The City also track total water consumptions for the entire City. Having said that the updated Environmental Master Plan proposes to develop a monitoring and measurement program to support decision making and other relevant discussion.

a) What is your starting baseline (year/amount)? N/A, will be developed later b) What is your target reduction (year/amount)? N/A, will be developed later

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c) What is your municipality’s top 5 sources of GHG emissions? (e.g., transportation, manufacturing, industry and construction, commercial and institutional buildings, residential buildings, etc.) N/A, will be developed later

5. Is your municipality using or planning to use offsets to achieve GHG emission reductions? If so,

please describe. N/A

6. Is your municipality part of or considering a program(s) – i.e. PACE program, tax rebates for retrofits? The City is currently looking into Clean Energy Improvement Program and work with other agencies for opportunity to promote energy efficient programs.

7. Are there partners that your municipality is working with to achieve your climate objectives?

With the Clean Energy Improvement Program, the City is engaging with Municipal Climate Change Action Centre. This action is also included in the updated Environmental Master Plan.

8. What do you think are the greatest opportunities/can be the biggest gain for the Region?

As the natural environment does not have a boundary, the biggest impact of addressing environmental issues and initiatives at the regional level is that every stakeholder will benefit from these actions and the biggest beneficiary is the environment and as a result the living organisms, including humans, “living” in the environment. Of the areas that municipalities in the Regional are most able to influence, promoting energy efficiency in publicly and privately owned buildings, providing more sustainable transportation options, and preserving and enhancing natural areas and systems are important roles and opportunities.

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Devon

Municipality: Town of Devon

Size (area): 14.3 km2

Population: 6578


municipal strategic plans? Please provide examples of t initiatives have you undertaken in the last 5 years? What do you hope to accomplish in the next 5 years? Town Council approved a How We Green our Community Plan with a goal to be net zero by 2050. There are several initiatives we have already started and completed moving us towards that target. One of the up-and-coming programs (CEIP) will allow residents to make the necessary improvements to their homes to reduce emissions and positively impact climate change overall.


Please provide high-level overview: Every budget year Council transfers some funds collected through our franchise agreement with Fortis Alberta into a Green Capital Reserve. Several solar projects throughout the community have been funded through that reserve.

3. Please list any incentives that your municipality provides:

a) To residents: Clean Energy Improvement Program b) To businesses: N/A


a) What is your starting baseline (year/amount)? 2015 estimated Baseline GHG (tCO2e)- 540.85

b) What is your target reduction (year/amount)? Net Zero by 2050. We discussed about step approach but not sure if it was approved by the Council.

c) What is your municipality’s top 5 sources of GHG emissions? (e.g., transportation, manufacturing, industry and construction, commercial and institutional buildings, residential buildings, etc.) Water Plant, Wastewater Plant, Arena, streetlight, Pool

5. Is your municipality using or planning to use offsets to achieve GHG emission reductions? If so, please describe. As part of our Federal Government support under the ICIP funding program, we were required to conduct a GHG emission reduction report and Climate Lens assessment. There is certainly opportunity to further that work in this area.

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6. Is your municipality part of or considering a program(s) – i.e. PACE program, tax rebates for retrofits? Devon will be the first community in Alberta to roll out the Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) formally referred to as the PACE program in the coming weeks. Bylaw is already in place as is the program. Working in partnership with Energy Efficiency Alberta and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

7. Are there partners that your municipality is working with to achieve your climate objectives? Energy Efficiency Alberta, Federation of Canadian Municipality, Alberta Urban Municipalities Association and the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre.

8. What do you think are the greatest opportunities/can be the biggest gain for the Region? Hosting an Edmonton region think tank of innovators, policy supporters and businesses already having success in this file to share stories, ideas and come up with a framework that is actually doable, measurable and inspires action for the region.

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Edmonton

Municipality: City of Edmonton


Population: 972,223 (2019)

1. Do you have environmental or climate change objectives and/or initiatives included in your municipal strategic plans? Please provide examples of the initiatives have you undertaken in the last 5 years? What do you hope to accomplish in the next 5 years?

ConnectEdmonton is Edmonton’s strategic plan (2019-2028). The strategic plan includes 4 goals, one of which is Climate Resilience which reads: Edmonton is a city transitioning to a low-carbon future, has clean air and water and is adapting to a changing climate.

● Edmonton’s Corporate Business Plan identifies five strategic actions under the Climate Resilience goal:

○ 1) 25-year waste strategic outlook; ○ 2) Blatchford renewable energy utility; ○ 3) Climate change adaptation strategy; ○ 4) Energy transition strategy; and ○ 5) Renewable (solar) energy projects

CityPlan sets strategic direction for the way Edmonton grows, its mobility systems, open spaces, employment and social networks. It combines Edmonton’s Municipal Development Plan and Transportation Master Plan and includes strategic direction in environmental planning, social planning and economic development. Greener as We Grow - one of five Big City Moves identified in the Municipal Development Plan notes:

● “Our growth should drive climate resilience ahead and strengthen our natural systems. To lighten our collective footprint, Greener As We Grow is a commitment to use growth as a catalyst for good design and conscientious decisions.”

Other key components of City Plan that relate to climate change objectives include: ● Embedded targets for trees planted, per person emissions, and carbon budget in the

City’s official plan - first Canadian municipality to embed carbon budget in Municipal Development Plan

● Used emissions and energy modelling as part of City Plan development to inform final concept

● Undertook climate risk assessment to understand potential cost savings of City Plan Concept as compared to business as usual growth pattern

● The City Plan’s Systems and Networks together work to reduce GHG emissions and preserve land from development. Intensification, redevelopment, and transit/active modes as the cornerstone of the mobility system are key foundations for the City Plan.

● Several policies in the City Plan direct the reduction of GHG emissions through mobility, land use, and technology. Some examples include:

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○ 5.3.3.3 Implement Edmonton’s carbon budget through ongoing development decisions

○ 2.4.1.3 Pursue emissions-neutral and net-positive infrastructure, buildings and neighbourhoods

○ 4.4.1 Support a low-carbon mobility system ○ 4.4.1.4 Transition the City fleet to zero carbon emissions

2. Has your municipality allocated any budget dollars towards environmental/climate

initiatives? Please provide high-level overview: The City of Edmonton provides a number of environmental services including solid waste collection and processing, wastewater and stormwater collection and processing which are provided under a utility model. Regarding climate mitigation, a number of projects are underway to upgrade City infrastructure and add renewable energy. The 2019-22 budget includes:

● $15 million for solar PV on City buildings ● A commitment to achieve 15K tonnes of GHG reductions through targeted initiatives

within the facility renewal program ● $10 million to fund the incremental cost of 40 electric buses along with additional funding for

the incremental cost of 20 additional e-buses. ● $10 million for the purchase of renewable energy certificates (RECs) that offsets

approximately 80% of emissions from the City’s electricity use The 2019-22 budget includes total spending of $27 million for community facing climate mitigation programs (see 3. below) and $2 million for climate adaptation initiatives.


a) To residents: ● Residential Solar Rebate Program provides financial incentive for homeowners to generate

renewable energy on their homes. The program offers a rebate of 40 cents/installed watt to a maximum of $4,000 towards the installation of rooftop solar panels (approximately 15% of equipment and installation costs)

● Electric Vehicle Charger rebate program helps Edmontonians electrify their transportation modes - available to homeowners

● Home Energy Retrofit Accelerator is a residential energy efficiency incentive program designed to facilitate home renovations that reduce GHG emissions, save energy and lower utility bills

● Eco-City Grant Program supported the community to take action to reduce GHG emissions through two streams:

○ Infrastructure Acceleration grant supported urban low-carbon infrastructure solutions that supported significant reductions in GHG and/or supported climate resilience projects that were replicable and scalable across the region

○ Community Action Grants supported projects that bring residents together to take action on climate change by reducing GHG and help them prepare for and adapt to a changing climate and its extreme events.

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b) To businesses:

● Building Energy Retrofit Accelerator is a rebate program that facilitates renovations to improve energy efficiency in commercial and institutional buildings. Rebates are designed to encourage deep green retrofit choices by using bundling and bonusing for those investments with greater GHG reduction impact. Eligible upgrades include HVAC systems, windows, lighting fixtures, building envelopes and more. Limited to builders of minimum 10,000 sq feet.

● Electric Vehicle Charger rebate program helps Edmontonians electrify their transportation mode and is available for residential commercial property owners.

● Building Energy Benchmarking Program provides a rebate for a voluntary program that invites Edmonton’s large commercial, institutional, industrial, and multi-family buildings to submit their energy performance data to the City for benchmarking and disclosure purposes.

● Corporate Climate Leaders Program has Edmonton corporations come together to analyze their own carbon footprints, create a reduction plan, and report their progress towards targets in a public forum so successes and challenges can be shared with their peers. Every program year, the City of Edmonton offers the participating members opportunities to learn and network through a series of workshops related to a variety of climate related topics such as climate financing, building optimization and energy management and climate business opportunities.

● Brownfield Redevelopment Grant has funding tools to assist owners of Brownfield sites with the additional financing needed to address environmental testing, remediation or exposure control costs in preparation for redevelopment.


a) What is your starting baseline (year/amount)? 2005 community GHG baseline - 18.2 million tonnes CO2e (2019 estimate)

b) What is your target reduction (year/amount)? ● 2025 target - 35% reduction from 2005 ● 2030 target - 50% reduction from 2005 ● 2050 target - net zero per person GHG emissions

c) What is your municipality’s top 5 sources of GHG emissions? (e.g., transportation, manufacturing, industry and construction, commercial and institutional buildings, residential buildings, etc.)

1. Transportation (31%)

2. Manufacturing, industry and construction (27%)

3. Commercial and institutional buildings (20%)

4. Residential buildings (18%)

5. Other (4%)

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5. Is your municipality using or planning to use offsets to achieve GHG emission reductions? If so, please describe.

● Edmonton will likely have to use offsets to achieve overall corporate and community energy transition and carbon budget goals.

● The City of Edmonton is currently using a bridging strategy to get to 100% green electricity for civic operations. The City is currently procuring Renewable Energy Credits to offset GHG emissions, with the goal that beginning in 2024, the City of Edmonton will procure renewable electricity directly from an electricity generator(s) through a long-term financial power purchase agreement.

6. Is your municipality part of or considering a program(s) – i.e. PACE program, tax rebates for

retrofits? ● The City of Edmonton has been working with the provincial program Administrator to launch a pilot

scale program of the Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) for Edmonton. It will be a two-year pilot program that provides residential and commercial property owners access to low cost financing to make energy efficiency upgrades and/or add renewable energy installations to their properties. The financing is then repaid by the property owner through the owner's property taxes. City Administration is working on preparing the necessary bylaw, and the target launch date is Q3, 2021 for Residential Applicants and Q1, 2022 for Commercial Applicants.

7. Are there partners that your municipality is working with to achieve your climate

objectives? ● Edmonton is working with a variety of partners to achieve multiple objectives such as:

○ Utilities (ie. EPCOR for flood mitigation, ATCO to pilot curbside electric charging, etc.) ○ Post-Secondary (ie. University of Alberta for wildfire risk mapping, NAIT renewable energy

program and construction of a Climate-Ready Home Demonstration Trailer, etc.) ○ Non-profits (ie. Alberta EcoTrust to deliver grant programs, Climate Innovation Fund

to support projects, etc.) ○ Regional partners (ie. Hydrogen distribution network, Tree and pest vulnerability

assessments, etc.) ○ Building Industry (Canadian Home Builders Association, Canada Green Building Council,

Urban Development Institute -- Edmonton Region, NAIOP, Infill Development in Edmonton Association, Edmonton Construction Association)


● As stated in the City of Edmonton’s notice of motion, there are specific opportunities that the region can seek to achieve, which include:

○ Creating a regional approach to building climate resilient neighbourhoods and aligning standards on energy efficient buildings that provides a transparent framework and predictable timelines for industry partners on higher levels of building performance.

○ Adoption of a region-wide carbon budget along with a climate risk assessment that is implemented in the Growth Plan and implementation actions

● By taking action on these focus areas, and even with a wider suite of climate action, the region could see benefits such as:

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○ Building from proven success: The Edmonton region already has some of the highest concentration of Net Zero homes. The region can build from this and become a hub for high performance buildings in the Province and the Prairies. This will allow us to catch up to, and pass, other areas in Canada that have already addressed higher levels of energy performance in new buildings and have shifted their focus to existing buildings.

○ Job creation: Leading global economists have identified that “green” recoveries often have economic advantages over traditional fiscal stimulus. Renewable energy projects generate more jobs in the short run (when jobs are scarce) and in the long run less labour for operation and maintenance, freeing up labour as the economy returns to capacity. Green construction projects (ie. retrofits or clean energy infrastructure) can deliver high job multipliers estimated in Canada to be somewhere between 7.2-8.8 local full-time jobs for every million in spending, and the International Energy Agency estimates that every $1 million invested in energy renovations yields 10 - 31 jobs.

○ Attracting Investment: The Edmonton Metro region has competitive advantages including state of the art CO2 carbon capture and storage technology and infrastructure, such as the world’s largest capacity CO2 pipeline and large scale CO2 capture projects. The Region has competitive advantages, including the ability to produce near zero-emission hydrogen at a lower cost than virtually any other jurisdiction in the world. There are emerging industries in the energy and innovation sectors and emerging businesses in bitumen beyond combustion, including lithium refinement, smart grid, low carbon hydrogen for heavy transportation and heating, building automation, energy efficiency and green buildings, which the Region is situated to support by way of manufacturing, distribution and construction. There is the potential to attract new talent dedicated to technology innovation, and create, grow and diversify our economy and contribute to meeting climate and energy goals.

○ Growth: By taking a regional approach, the region would benefit from an improved reputation that would further enable its ability to attract and retain talent and foreign direct investment. Regional alignment would also lead to consistent standards that provide predictability and certainty to industry partners. In addition, regions with higher levels of energy efficiency, reduced GHG intensity, higher rates of “green” buildings, greater availability of sustainable transport options tend to have:

■ higher rates of employment; ■ higher GDP per capita; ■ lower rates of violent crimes; ■ higher levels of educational attainment; ■ lower levels of perceived stress among residents (improved mental health); ■ a greater sense of community; ■ higher levels of investment in new commercial and institutional buildings; and ■ improved ability to attract talent.

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Fort Saskatchewan

Municipality: City of Fort Saskatchewan

Size (area): 57.79 square kilometres

Population: 26,942


municipal strategic plans? Please provide examples of initiatives you have undertaken in the last 5 years? What do you hope to accomplish in the next 5 years? Our Strategic Plan is connected to our Community Sustainability Plan, which includes seven sustainability principles:

• A Welcoming Community • A Community with Spirit • Stewardship of The Environment • Using Our Resources Wisely • A Responsive Economy • A Complete Community • Community Designed for People

Our Community Vision within our Strategic Plan includes:

“…As a community, we are stewards of the environment and are committed to using our resources wisely. We have a deeply rooted respect for our place and celebrate the river valley. The Fort is a leader in sustainable eco-industrial development with a flourishing local economy…”

Our recently approved Municipal Development Plan also outlines the below environmental objectives and/or initiatives that the City will work towards in the medium-term:

• Develop a Wetland and Natural Area Protection Plan • Develop an Active Transportation Master Plan • Complete an Ecological Inventory and Ecosystem Services Assessment • Develop a Water Conservation Strategy • Develop an Urban Forestry Protection Plan

The City has also partnered with Strathcona County Administration and other interested communities to development a Headwater Protection Plan. It is expected that this report will outline the potential impacts of the four currently approved coal mining projects on the region’s headwaters and propose tools municipalities can utilize to protect these headwaters.

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2. Has your municipality allocated any budget dollars towards environmental/climate initiatives? Please provide high-level overview: Budget dollars have been tentatively allocated to create more naturalized spaces throughout Fort Saskatchewan in 2021, with hopes to expand the program in future years if successful. This pilot project aims to decrease maintenance requirements while creating a healthier, more naturalized environment for pollinators, insects, and birds to thrive. Budget is allocated each year to the proper collection and disposal of various hazardous materials that are dropped off at the Transfer Station.

3. Please list any incentives that your municipality provides: a) To residents: None. b) To businesses: None.

4. Is your municipality currently tracking its GHG emissions? No

a) What is your starting baseline (year/amount)? N/A b) What is your target reduction (year/amount)? N/A c) What is your municipality’s top 5 sources of GHG emissions? (e.g., transportation,

manufacturing, industry and construction, commercial and institutional buildings, residential buildings, etc.) N/A


please describe. No

6. Is your municipality part of or considering a program(s) – i.e. PACE program, tax rebates for retrofits? No

7. Are there partners that your municipality is working with to achieve your climate objectives? • Alberta Industrial Heartland Association • North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance • River Valley Alliance • Edmonton Region Waste Advisory Committee • EMRB Solid Waste Collaborative • ATCO – Hydrogen Blending Project • TD Canada – Tree Planting


• Waste reduction / landfill diversion. • Regional transit and promotion of active transportation over single occupant vehicle use. • Reduce emissions through energy production (e.g. blue hydrogen). • Long-term protection of watershed quality and quantity.

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Leduc

Municipality: City of Leduc


Population: 34,216


municipal strategic plans? Please provide examples of t initiatives have you undertaken in the last 5 years? What do you hope to accomplish in the next 5 years? • Environmental Plan 2012 – A ten-year action plan for many environmental topics including waste

reduction, water conservation, land use, noise and light pollution, as well as energy and climate change. https://www.leduc.ca/environmental-plan-0

• Weather and Climate Readiness Plan 2014 – Outlines local risks and actions for City operations, including actions to address flooding. https://www.leduc.ca/weather-climate-readiness-plan

• The City of Leduc’s GHG Reduction Action Plan was approved in 2019 and is available at: https://www.leduc.ca/ourclimatesolutions. It sets targets and actions for the next ten years. Council approved the low scenario actions to achieve a 3% target, while being open to other actions being implemented, conditional on funding.


Please provide high-level overview: Budget 2021 includes budget to address the following topics related to climate adaptation and mitigation.

1. Facilities: a. REALice installation at Alex Arena b. Work with Hemisphere and Analytic Software to make improvements in our Building

Automation Systems for energy efficiency and improved staff comfort levels c. Upgrading the roof insulation at the Performance Arena this year

2. Leduc and District Regional Waste Management Authority (LDRWMA): a. Waste characterization study to determine organics contamination to evaluate inspection

campaign effectiveness b. Regional communications campaign on organics diversion including GHG reduction

3. GHG Plan Actions a. Annual tree planting budget was doubled in 2021 b. CEIP program implementation if FCM grant received c. Industrial Commercial Institutional Multi Family waste reduction program d. Projects with Planning, Fleet and Transit e.g. marketing secondary suites, infill/mixed

use policy development, EV vehicles, transit promotions and other forms of energy efficient transit

https://www.leduc.ca/environmental-plan-0

https://www.leduc.ca/weather-climate-readiness-plan

https://www.leduc.ca/ourclimatesolutions

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Grant funding is expected to be a significant portion of future project funding.

3. Please list any incentives that your municipality provides: a) To residents:

None at this time. In the past have offered rebates for efficient toilets, furnaces and washers. Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) bylaw passed April 2021 and expected to launch December 2021 or January 2022, conditional on FCM grant funding.

b) To businesses: None. Commercial incentives will be considered for implementation after the four-year CEIP pilot project.


a) What is your starting baseline (year/amount)? Yes. 2015 emissions estimated at 421,1000 tCO2e.

b) What is your target reduction (year/amount)? 3% below business as usual by 2030, or a reduction of 151,000 tCO2e over 10 years.

c) What is your municipality’s top 5 sources of GHG emissions? (e.g., transportation, manufacturing, industry and construction, commercial and institutional buildings, residential buildings, etc.) Commercial Buildings, Residential Buildings, Transportation, Industry, Solid Waste.


please describe. Options are being presented to Council May/June 2021 to consider offset revenue from large solar projects on municipal buildings. LDRWMA has considered for biocover project upon project completion in future.

6. Is your municipality part of or considering a program(s) – i.e. PACE program, tax rebates for retrofits? Yes. CEIP bylaw passed April 2021, expected start date Dec 2021 or January 2022, conditional on FCM grant funding.

7. Are there partners that your municipality is working with to achieve your climate objectives? MCCAC has been an integral partner; City of Leduc has participated in all their funding programs for Recreation Centre Lighting, Solar, Electric Vehicles, and Municipal Energy Manager. Other partners include Enmax, and consultants.

8. What do you think are the greatest opportunities/can be the biggest gain for the Region? Regarding GHG reductions: Retrofitting buildings, CEIP program, Industrial Emissions Reductions, Electric Vehicles, Organic Waste Diversion. Regarding Stormwater management, flood risk reduction: Regional alignment on Intensity, Duration, Frequency (IDF) curve to reflect current and projected precipitation patterns. This will ensure

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consistency for developers in stormpond size requirements across municipalities. Continued regional collaboration on erosion monitoring and potential solutions.

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Leduc County

Municipality: Leduc County

Size (area): 2,602.3 km2

Population: 13,172


municipal strategic plans? Please provide examples of the initiatives you have undertaken in the last 5 years. What do you hope to accomplish in the next 5 years?

Strategic Plan Vision: Leduc County offers an economic advantage, sustainable agricultural network, environmental leadership and an unsurpassed quality of life. Leduc County will continue to encourage and support sustainable agriculture and watersheds.


Please provide high-level overview: Annual contributions to the Beaver Hills Initiative and the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance. Leduc County Agricultural Services:

• Provides programs to our residents to support agricultural production within the County, with positive effect to the environment.

• Recognizes and champions the importance of agriculture for its economic, environmental and community contributions and commit to its long-term viability in the county, region and province.

Leduc County facilities: retrofits/upgrades to facilities are undertaken to increase environmental efficiency.

3. Please list any incentives that your municipality provides: a) To residents: None currently b) To businesses: None currently c) To agricultural producers:

Sustainable agriculture program i. Supports the adoption of beneficial management practices by agricultural producers

through education and awareness. ii. Supports individual producers with the Alberta Environmental Farm Plan process and

when applying for Canadian Agricultural Partnership or other grants. iii. Coordinates the Alternative Land Use Services Program (ALUS).

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4. Is your municipality currently tracking its GHG emissions? No a) What is your starting baseline (year/amount)? N/A (not tracking) b) What is your target reduction (year/amount)? N/A (not tracking) c) What is your municipality’s top 5 sources of GHG emissions? (e.g., transportation,

manufacturing, industry and construction, commercial and institutional buildings, residential buildings, etc.) N/A (not tracking)


please describe. Not currently

6. Is your municipality part of or considering a program(s) – i.e. PACE program, tax rebates for retrofits? Not currently

7. Are there partners that your municipality is working with to achieve your climate objectives? • Alternative Land Use Services Program (ALUS)

• Rural Routes to Climate Solutions

• Canadian Agricultural Partnership

• Beaver Hills Initiative

• North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance

• Pigeon Lake Watershed Association

• Wizard Lake Watershed & Lake Stewardship Association

• Edmonton International Airport (ex. developing a 627-acre, 120-megawatt solar farm)

8. What do you think are the greatest opportunities/can be the biggest gain for the Region? Our sustainable agriculture program is a partnership between Leduc County, the County of Wetaskiwin, and the Government of Alberta. We provide support to producers on adopting beneficial management practices, completing the Alberta Environmental Farm Plan process and applying for Canadian Agricultural Partnership or other grants. The sustainable agriculture coordinator also coordinates the Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) program, which helps producers establish ecologically beneficial projects on their properties. Each year the sustainable agriculture program builds education and awareness by facilitating approximately 15 public workshops or events. The last workshop specific to carbon capture was in 2017. However, the other workshops do discuss carbon sequestration or GHG reduction as part of their agendas.

May 3, 2021 Page 20 of 45

Morinville

Municipality: Town of Morinville

Size (area): 11.32km sq.

Population: 10,578


municipal strategic plans? Please provide examples of t initiatives have you undertaken in the last 5 years? What do you hope to accomplish in the next 5 years? Municipal Development Plan:

• 6 sustainability pillars: Environmental

• Environmentally and ecologically responsible decision-making;

• Respecting the environment and promoting responsible use of land and resources;

• Morinville shall aim to be ecologically responsible by designing with the landscape, respecting the environment by protecting ecologically significant areas, reducing energy consumption, and supporting low impact development

• Morinville shall aim to be ecologically responsible by designing with the landscape, respecting the environment by protecting ecologically significant areas, reducing energy consumption, supporting low impact development


Please provide high-level overview: • 2021 Budget – Tree Planting and Replacement Initiative program.

• Christmas tree recycling

• Compost giveaway


Toilet Rebate – Existing Construction b) To businesses:

No.

May 3, 2021 Page 21 of 45

4. Is your municipality currently tracking its GHG emissions? No. a) What is your starting baseline (year/amount)? N/A b) What is your target reduction (year/amount)? N/A c) What is your municipality’s top 5 sources of GHG emissions? (e.g., transportation,

manufacturing, industry and construction, commercial and institutional buildings, residential buildings, etc.) N/A


please describe. No.


retrofits? Yes.

7. Are there partners that your municipality is working with to achieve your climate objectives? No.


• Regional Transit Line,

• Charging Stations,

• New clean sectors,

• Agri-Tech,

• Food Production

May 3, 2021 Page 22 of 45

Parkland County

Municipality: Parkland County

Size (area): 2,388 km2

Population: 32,097

1. Do you have environmental or climate change objectives and/or initiatives included in your municipal strategic plans? Please provide examples of t initiatives have you undertaken in the last 5 years? What do you hope to accomplish in the next 5 years? Our Integrated Community Sustainability Plan outlines four broad objectives in environmental sustainability, including one pertaining to climate change resiliency. Each broad objective also includes a strategy explaining how we plan to achieve the objectives and a number of suggested actions. The four objectives capture functioning ecosystems, healthy watersheds, waste reduction and climate change resiliency. In the past five years we have used 4 primary methods to deliver on these goals including, extension and education, integration into land management and development, on the ground conservation and restoration projects, and long- term planning/ technical assessments. Over the next five years we plan to continue these efforts.

2. Has your municipality allocated any budget dollars towards environmental/climate initiatives? Please provide high-level overview: Parkland County has two full-time and one part-time position dedicated to these programs. We have also allocated funds to support extension through partnerships with NGOs and non-profit organizations. A large amount of funding has also been allocated on a project-by-project basis, for example to complete a wetland inventory and historical loss assessment or updating our Environmental Conservation Master Plan.


a) To residents: We work with the Land Stewardship Centre to provide the Green Acreages Program to residents which provides grants for environmental improvements on their properties.

b) To businesses: Provide the Alternative Land Use Services Program to agricultural operations for financial assistance with ecosystem restoration. This includes carbon capture and flood and drought mitigation projects.


a) What is your starting baseline (year/amount)? 2010: Corporate emissions = 5443 tonnes 2010- Community

emissions = 453,860 tonnes b) What is your target reduction (year/amount)?

• Corporate reduction: 25% below the 2010 baseline levels by 2020 and 40% by 2025.

• Community reduction: 6% below the 2010 baseline levels by 2020 and 10% by 2025

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c) What is your municipality’s top 5 sources of GHG emissions? (e.g., transportation, manufacturing, industry and construction, commercial and institutional buildings, residential buildings, etc.)

Transportation, residential, industrial, commercial/institutional, other infrastructure 5. Is your municipality using or planning to use offsets to achieve GHG emission

reductions? If so, please describe. No

6. Is your municipality part of or considering a program(s) – i.e. PACE program, tax rebates for retrofits? • We are considering participating in the MCCAC’s Clean Energy Improvement Program.

• We are part of the FCM’s PCP program. 7. Are there partners that your municipality is working with to achieve your climate

objectives? ALUS and the MCCAC.


We feel the largest gain for the region would be supporting renewables for transportation & buildings, as well as funding natural infrastructure for carbon sequestration and flood and drought mitigation.

May 3, 2021 Page 24 of 45

Spruce Grove

Municipality: City of Spruce Grove

Size (area): 37km2

Population: 38,000


municipal strategic plans? Please provide examples of t initiatives have you undertaken in the last 5 years? What do you hope to accomplish in the next 5 years? - Yes, we have environmental initiatives noted in our MDP, Strategic Plan and our Environmental

Sustainability Action Plan (ESAP). The City also has an Energy Management Plan, Climate Resiliency Action Plan and has participated in region climate change studies. In 2021 the City will be updating its ESAP to a Climate Change Action Plan. This will serve as a 10 year guiding document for climate change mitigation and adaptation measures.

- Some initiatives in the past 5 years: solar installation, municipal green building policy, regional collaboration on climate adaptation, community based social marketing programs on waste diversion, water conservation education, single-use items reduction bylaw

- Next 5 years: contracting a municipal energy specialist to help reduce the City’s energy use and emissions. Climate Change Action Plan developed this year will set the road map for the next 10 years.


Please provide high-level overview: - The City has a small general environmental sustainability budget (roughly $14,000), as well as funding

for water conservation and waste diversion initiatives (roughly $60,000). The City also has one full time Environmental Advisor and more recently hired an Energy Specialist (funded through MCCAC).

3. Please list any incentives that your municipality provides: a) To residents: N/A b) To businesses: N/A


a) What is your starting baseline (year/amount)? The original baseline for our first GHG inventory, completed in 2003, was for the year 1996. With an update to our Energy Management Plan and GHG Inventory in 2016/17 the baseline year was set for the year 2015. The updated emissions and energy reduction targets (stated below) are aiming for a percentage reduction from 2015.

b) What is your target reduction (year/amount)?

Energy use: Reduce corporate energy use per capita to 40% below 2015 levels by 2035.

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Reduce community energy use per capita to 25% below 2015 levels by 2035. In 2019, corporate energy use per capita was 6% below 2015 levels, and community energy use per capita was 5% below 2015 levels GHG

Emissions: Reduce corporate GHG emissions per capita to 50% below 2015 levels by 2035. Reduce community GHG emissions per capita by 35% below 2015 levels by 2035.

In 2019, corporate GHG emissions per capita were 27% below 2015 levels, and community GHG emissions per capita were 14% below 2015 levels.

We anticipate that with the completion of the Climate Change Action Plan this year, our targets will be updated to better reflect the Federal targets of net zero by 2050.

c) What is your municipality’s top 5 sources of GHG emissions? (e.g., transportation, manufacturing, industry and construction, commercial and institutional buildings, residential buildings, etc.) o Road Transportation (45%), Residential (31%), ICI (22%), Waste (2%)


please describe. - Not at this time, may be explored after the completion of the Climate Change Action Plan


retrofits? - This has been reviewed and considered. No direction on this program has been taken as of yet. With

the completion of the Climate Change Action Plan we may have a clearer direction.

7. Are there partners that your municipality is working with to achieve your climate objectives? - Regional municipalities (information sharing/collaboration), NGOs (information source), MCCAC

(funding), consultants (specialist in the area to help form City programs)

8. What do you think are the greatest opportunities/can be the biggest gain for the Region? - Economies of scale for different technologies/studies - Consistency across the region creating more buy-in for residents - Environmental impacts will be experienced across the region (no borders), working together towards a

common goal will be beneficial for all – ensuring a greater impact on reducing our footprint, while also ensuring the region is prepared for a changing climate.

May 3, 2021 Page 26 of 45

St. Albert

Municipality: City of St. Albert

Size (area): 48.27 km²

Population: 66,082 (2018 Census)


municipal strategic plans? Please provide examples of the initiatives have you undertaken in the last 5 years? What do you hope to accomplish in the next 5 years? Strategic Documents and Plans

• Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program registered (FCM). Milestone 5 (of 5) for corporate and community emissions (achieved in 2019)

• Environmental Master Plan (2020) targets and milestones for community and corporate GHG emissions. Includes detailed annual reporting of emission data and well as goals for reduction.

• Annual public reporting of status of the City’s Environmental Master Plan through a published Report on the Environment (2003 – current)

• Climate resilience and adaptation activities and targets specifically support by the City’s Municipal Development Plan Flourish (MDP, 2021)

• Participation in the Edmonton Metropolitan Climate Resiliency Exchange program (2019), sponsored by FCM. Received several regionally based climate resilience and adaption reports on water security, invasive species vulnerability, guide to urban forest change and climate resilient homes

Future Plans

• Update to the City’s Environmental Master Plan to be in alignment with MDP

• Participation in the City of Edmonton’s Building Energy Benchmark Program by sharing data on the City of St. Albert’s civic facility energy consumption data

• Creation of a St. Albert Climate Resiliency and Adaptation plan (2022)

• Introduction of a Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) bylaw for residential properties (2021, pending Council approval)

• Introduction of a Home Energy Retrofit Accelerator (HERA) grant program for residential energy efficiency improvements (2022, pending Council approval)


Please provide high-level overview: • Active energy efficiency audits of civically owned facilities, including facility audits, monitoring and

reporting through RET Screen, Energuide (staff position, Municipal Energy Specialist, term)

• Budget for energy efficiency retrofits of civic facilities, including building retrofits, LED lighting upgrades, operational improvements and solar PV arrays (approximately $130,000 every two years for improvements)

• Dedicated Energy Efficiency Reserve (funded by grant money received from energy efficiency project rebates) that can be accessed for emergent energy efficiency projects

May 3, 2021 Page 27 of 45

• Two active solar PV arrays (301 kwDC system at Transit facility and a 287 kwDC system at Public Works)

• In progress approximately 1 MWDC roof top system for Servus Credit Union Place (completion expected in 2021)

• Capital Charters in consideration for energy monitoring software for facilities, Combined Heat & Power (CHP) units, heat recovery units and additional civic facility energy audits


• Dedicated annual grant money for residents to apply for, Environmental Initiatives Grant (EIG), set at $0.50 per captia (since 2009)

• Home Energy Assessment Toolkit (HEAT). Five toolkits accessible by City residents through the St. Albert Library, allowing for home assessments of energy efficiency

• School HEAT kits (15) available to be rented by St. Albert schools (2021 launch)

• Introduction of a Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) bylaw for residential properties (2021, pending Council approval)

• Introduction of a Home Energy Retrofit Accelerator (HERA) grant program for residential energy efficiency improvements (2022, pending Council approval)

• Simplifies permitting measures for rooftop solar PV arrays for residents b) To businesses:

• None at this time

4. Is your municipality currently tracking its GHG emissions? If yes, a) What is your starting baseline (year/amount)?

• Corporate 2008 baseline – 31,765 tCO2e

• Community 2008 baseline – 1,008,871 tCO2e b) What is your target reduction (year/amount)?

• Corporate 2020 target (20% below baseline) – 26,471 tCO2e

• Community 2020 target (20% below baseline) – 840,726 tCO2e c) What is your municipality’s top 5 sources of GHG emissions? (e.g., transportation,

manufacturing, industry and construction, commercial and institutional buildings, residential buildings, etc.)

• Corporate (in order of magnitude): 1) buildings, 2) municipal fleet, 3) traffic signals, 4) landfill

• Community (in order of magnitude): 1) transportation, 2) buildings, 3) institutional construction & manufacturing, 4) commercial and 5) street lights


please describe. Not at this time.

May 3, 2021 Page 28 of 45


retrofits? Yes, both CEIP and grant programs (HERA) in consideration for 2022. CEIP bylaw passed first reading in April 2021 with second and third reading considered in May 2021.

7. Are there partners that your municipality is working with to achieve your climate objectives? Yes, actively working with the Municipal Climate Change Action Center (MCCAC, program branch of AUMA) and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).

8. What do you think are the greatest opportunities/can be the biggest gain for the Region? • Regional climate adaptation and resiliency planning.

• Securing long term, predicable funding for agencies like the MCCAC, Alberta Innovates and Emission Reductions Alberta (ERA) to fund municipal, residential and business energy efficiency improvements.

May 3, 2021 Page 29 of 45

Stony Plain

Municipality: Town of Stony Plain


Population: 17,842


municipal strategic plans? Please provide examples of initiatives you have undertaken in the last 5 years? What do you hope to accomplish in the next 5 years? Yes, there are climate change objectives included in the Town’s Municipal Development Plan (MDP), Environmental Master Plan, and Environmental Stewardship Strategy (ESS). In the past 5 years, the Town has participated in the development of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region: Guide to Urban Forest management in a Changing Climate and Managing Invasive Species and Pests in a Changing Climate and have successfully planned a local transit system to connect Stony Plain residents to Spruce Grove starting operation in May 2021. In the next 5 years, the Town will make progress on the actions identified in the ESS related to waste reduction, land and water management, energy audits and exploration of renewable energy opportunities.

2. Has your municipality allocated any budget dollars towards environmental/climate initiatives? Please provide high-level overview: Indirectly through staff-time in kind as well as through annually budgeted environmental initiatives. $5000 towards an Arbour Day community event and $5000 toward environmental stewardship initiatives.

3. Please list any incentives that your municipality provides: a) To residents: None. b) To businesses: None.


a) What is your starting baseline (year/amount)? Previously the Town was tracking them through the Partners for Climate Protection program of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and successfully completed milestones 1-4; however they have not been actively tracked since about 2010.

b) What is your target reduction (year/amount)? No current target. c) What is your municipality’s top 5 sources of GHG emissions? (e.g., transportation, manufacturing,

industry and construction, commercial and institutional buildings, residential buildings, etc.) Unknown.

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5. Is your municipality using or planning to use offsets to achieve GHG emission reductions? If so, please describe. Stony Plain is not actively planning to use offsets to achieve GHG emission reductions.

6. Is your municipality part of or considering a program(s) – i.e. PACE program, tax rebates for retrofits? Stony Plain is not currently part of or exploring any programs for tax rebates or retrofits.

7. Are there partners that your municipality is working with to achieve your climate objectives? The Town actively works with members of the Tri-Region (Parkland County and Spruce Grove) to progress climate change initiatives, while also supporting regional initiatives led by the EMRB.

8. What do you think are the greatest opportunities/can be the biggest gain for the Region? Opportunities that will provide the biggest gain for the Region include regional collaboration on environmental initiatives, having a larger and more significant impact to increase the health of our environment and communities, and investing in renewable energy resources to diversify our economic opportunity and increase long term resilience.

May 3, 2021 Page 31 of 45

Strathcona County

Municipality: Strathcona County

Size (area): 1,265 km²

Population: 98,381 (2018 census)


municipal strategic plans? Please provide examples of t initiatives have you undertaken in the last 5 years? What do you hope to accomplish in the next 5 years?

LAST 5 YEARS The County’s Strategic Plan is our principal guiding document for governance, community development, infrastructure, and program and service delivery. It serves as the foundation on which the County's corporate business plan, department business plans, master plans and budgets are developed and approved. "Becoming Canada’s most livable community”. This statement summarizes what we aspire to be as a municipality and paints a picture of what the community could look like in the future. Our vision statement outlines the primary elements that make our community livable and describes the County-wide priorities and results necessary to achieve that vision. One specific vision element is to strive to be a model of ecological integrity, protecting our environment and preserving our agricultural heritage. Of the eight strategic goals that support the vision, six of these are directly supportive and reliant on our Environmental Framework:

• Goal 2: Manage, invest and plan for sustainable municipal infrastructure.

• Goal 3: Cultivate economic diversification, within the petrochemical industry and beyond, through a business-friendly environment.

• Goal 4: Ensure effective stewardship of water, land, air and energy resources.

• Goal 5: Foster collaboration through regional, community and governmental partnerships.

• Goal 6: Provide facilities and services that are available and accessible to residents

• Goal 7: Provide opportunities for public engagement and communication

The County’s Social Framework provides direction and opportunities to create and sustain a supported, safe and connected community for all. The Social Framework endeavors to set a path to shifting behaviors to improve our community. This theme has been carried across to inform the Environmental Framework to ensure environmental education, awareness, engagement, and empowerment opportunities are available to all. The Environmental Framework documents existing programs/plans/policies and strives to identify strategic initiatives that support the four outcomes of the Social Framework:

1. Affordability: Citizens have an increased capacity to meet their basic needs. 2. Access to Programs and Services: Citizens have straightforward access to programs and

services that are easy to find. 3. Safety: Citizens feel physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally safe.

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4. Connectedness and Inclusion: Citizens are connected to one another, and their individual differences are valued and respected.

The County’s Environmental Sustainability Framework will be transitioned to the new Environmental Framework. The foundation for this framework is based upon six overarching outcomes and 35 objectives. These elements prioritize healthy ecosystems and set a foundation for healthy citizens. Current programs/plans/policies will continue to be documented and implemented under the Environmental Framework. As a living and dynamic document, the Environmental Framework will provide guidance and direction for the provision of publicly funded strategic initiatives moving forward. The updated Framework will expand our focus on renewing and introducing new initiatives to meet a more holistic view of environmental priorities in the community. Most of the programs/plans/policies outlined in the Environmental Framework are being achieved, those strategic initiatives identified will be prioritized and, if relevant, carried forward in the implementation process.

DRAFT Environmental Framework Outcomes

• Airshed sustains healthy ecosystems and healthy citizens

• Watershed sustains healthy ecosystems and healthy citizens

• Land planning, use, and management sustains healthy ecosystems and healthy citizens

• Biodiversity sustains healthy ecosystems and healthy citizens

• Waste management protects healthy ecosystems and healthy citizens

• Reducing energy use, committing to energy efficiency, and embracing renewable energy sources sustains healthy air, water, biological diversity, and nutrient cycling and is the foundation for healthy citizens

With respect to reducing emissions by reducing energy use, committing to energy efficiency, developing and using renewable energy sources, the following plans/programs/practices are currently underway:

• Community Energy Centre • Community Energy System • Conservation of Biological Diversity

Policy • Dark Sky Preserves • Green Fleet Strategy (2021) • Greenhouse gas emission reduction

target of 15% (2018 – 2030) • Integrated Transportation Master

Plan • Land Use Bylaw 6-2015 • Municipal Development Plan

Bylaw 20-2017

• Municipal Energy Manager • Municipal Sustainable Building Policy • Recreation & Culture Strategy • Sidewalk Missing Links Program • Strategic Energy Master Plan (2022) • Trails Strategy • Transit Master Plan • Water Conservation Programs • Water Conservation, Efficiency and

Productivity Plan

May 3, 2021 Page 33 of 45

With respect to ensuring our water supply meets future planning needs, the following plans/programs/practices are currently underway:

• Alberta Capital Region Wastewater Commission

• Bremner Area Concept Plan • Bremner Growth Management

Strategy • Climate Resiliency Exchange: Best

Practices Approaches for Mainstreaming Climate Change into Water Management

• Climate Resiliency Exchange: The Impact of Climate Change on Water Security in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region

• Conservation of Biological Diversity Policy

• Designated Industrial Zone (DIZ) Water Working Group (2021)

• Land Use Bylaw 6-2015

• Municipal Development Plan Bylaw 20-2017

• Partner with Edmonton Metropolitan Regional Board to achieve regional water supply goals

• Partner with provincial regulators to achieve regional water supply goals

• Partner with provincial regulators to develop and implement water supply plans (North Saskatchewan Regional Plan)

• Sewer and Wastewater System Bylaw • Water Conservation, Efficiency, and Productivity Plan • Water Management Framework for the Industrial Heartland and Capital Region • Water System Bylaw

With respect to ensuring our land use planning focuses on environmental (smart growth/complete) community design, the following plans/programs/practices are currently underway:

• Area Concept Plan • Area Structure Plan • Beaver Hills Biosphere • Biophysical Assessment Directive • Bremner Area Concept Plan • Bremner Growth Management Strategy • Conservation of and Public Access to

Water Bodies and Watercourses Directive (2021)

• Conservation of Biological Diversity Policy

• Conservation Easement Program • Conservation and Environmental

Reserve Easements Directive • Edmonton Metropolitan Region

Board Growth Plan • Indigenous Policy Analyst • Indigenous Working Group • Integrated Transportation Master Plan • Intermunicipal Development Plans

• Joint Planning Agreement with the City of Edmonton

• Land Management Policy • Land Use Bylaw 6-2015 • Legacy Lands Directive • Mature Neighborhood Strategy • Municipal Development Plan Bylaw 20-

2017 • Municipal Government Act • Municipal Land Framework • North Saskatchewan Regional

Plan (draft?) • Open Space Master Plan (2022) • Recreation & Culture Strategy • Sustainable Urban Neighborhood

Design (SUN Design) • Transit Master Plan • Tree Conservation Directive • Wetland Conservation Directive

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With respect to ensuring our land use development focuses on wise use and development of land, buildings and structures, the following plans/programs/practices are currently underway:

• Beaver Hills Biosphere • Best Management Practices for

Stormwater Management Facilities

• Bremner Area Concept Plan • Bremner Growth Management

Strategy • Communications towers

guidelines • Conservation and Environmental

Easement Directive • Conservation Easement

Program • Conservation of Biological

Diversity Policy • Dark Sky • Design & Construction

Standards • Edmonton Metropolitan Region

Board Growth Plan

• Erosion & Sediment Control Guidelines (Draft)

• Indigenous Policy Analyst • Indigenous Working Group • Land Use Bylaw 6-2015 • Legacy Lands Directive • Light Efficient Community Policy • Municipal Development Plan

Bylaw 20-2017 • Municipal Land Framework • North Saskatchewan Regional

Plan (draft?) • Sustainable Urban

Neighborhood Design (SUN Design)

• Tree Conservation Directive • Volunteer in Parks (VIP)

Program • Wetland Conservation Directive

After 10 years, the County’s Green Routine program and complementary community recycling initiatives require a long-term review. The development of a Waste Management Roadmap would set clear direction for reducing waste across the community over the next 10 years. Through the development of a Waste Management Roadmap, Strathcona County will undertake a process of creating a high-level strategy that will identify the community’s philosophy, priorities and approach to Strathcona County’s waste management system. It will help guide future decisions and investments related to solid waste and will provide a framework to continue the work and success of waste diversion services and initiatives in the County. The objectives are to: (a) provide direction for the County’s waste management system, (b) identify the community’s values and vision for managing waste throughout the County, (c) make progress towards further reduction of waste to landfill, and (d) address service delivery needs and processing capacity for the next 10 years. A Circular Economy is based on the principles of designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems (Ellen MacArthur Foundation). It is an alternative to the traditional linear economy – take, make, waste. Strathcona County is currently exploring these principles in order to incorporate into our Waste Management Roadmap. A Circular Economy keeps products and materials circulating within the economy at their highest utility and value, through waste prevention, improved design, reuse, recycling, remanufacturing, and innovative business models. Circular Economy encourages resiliency and regeneration and is an alternative model to the status quo. Transitioning to a Circular Economy requires consideration of the technical and biological elements supporting us in order to sustain economic and natural cycles functioning continuously. Essentially, we must embrace reuse/repair/recycle options available within our technical world with naturally degradable cycles of our organic world. The benefits of this model are not only mitigating climate change, but direct creation of new jobs and businesses, and efficient service provision.

May 3, 2021 Page 35 of 45

The Recycling Council of Alberta is working with five communities across Alberta on a Circular Cities project to create unique roadmaps for how communities can design out waste and conserve resources to transition to a Circular Economy. The communities include Strathcona County, City of Edmonton, City of Calgary, City of Lethbridge, and the Town of Banff. Each community is unique in location, economy, and diversity, so the first step in the project involved consulting members of the community to determine unique attributes and opportunities. This engagement took place over a focused half-day workshop (February 2020). A roadmap was built on this workshop and represents the second step in the process, with the goal to give communities an idea of projects and areas for exploration and growth. After communities view their roadmaps, they will choose how and what projects to implement. To assist in this process, communities will also be connected with partner cities in Europe that have a similar focus and initiatives. This sister city or “small giants” connection will give the communities additional resources to tackle and resolve common challenges. Building on the European Innovation Partnership on Smart Cities and Communities initiative, they are called small giants because, although the communities may be small, they are “giant” in their ambition and what can be achieved through collaboration. Approved by Council in 2010, the Municipal Sustainable Building Policy SER-004-006 set the policy statement specific to the design, construction and operation of municipal buildings. In order to further our commitment to sustainability, Strathcona County will be a leader in sustainable building practices by:

• Meeting all requirements of either the Strathcona County Sustainable Building Protocol or a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standard for the construction of all new County facilities that are over 500 m2 or for major renovations (as defined) of County facilities;

• Requiring owners of Buildings on County-owned land to meet the requirements of either the Strathcona County Sustainable Building Protocol or a LEED standard for the construction of all new Buildings on County-owned land that are over 500 m2 or for major renovations of Buildings on County-owned land;

• Favouring strategies of regional significance, such as water conservation, in developing the Strathcona County Sustainable Building Protocol;

• Striving for on-going improvement in the sustainable maintenance and operation of County facilities;

• Undertaking regular monitoring and reporting on the sustainability of all County facilities;

• Adhering to the Canadian Model National Energy Code for Buildings and

• Achieving official green building certification from official certifying organizations as deemed appropriate.

NEXT 5 YEARS A Green Fleet is simply defined as any fleet of any size with a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, waste sent to landfills, and conventional fuel consumption. Vehicles are the most obvious component of a fleet, but shop operations can significantly contribute to emission and waste reductions. Opportunities for the use of recycled or re-refined lubricants and non-toxic cleaning chemicals can realize reduction goals. In order to achieve a green fleet goals, technology is required to track emissions, idling, and other measurements that contribute to a reduction in emissions, waste, and fuel. Data informs decision-making and ultimately the success of a green fleet. The purpose of a Green Fleet Procedure is to guide fleet greening to directly inform and

May 3, 2021 Page 36 of 45

influence Strathcona County’s greenhouse gas emission reduction goals, reduce the use of non-renewable resources, and improve fuel efficiency. Research and development of a Climate Action Plan is an approach for our community to anticipate, plan, and adapt to the changing climate. Actions to advance climate change adaptation and build resilience to climate impacts include: • investing in gray and green infrastructure, that protects our community from climate-related

disasters • working to ensure the long-term health and resilience of our ecosystems and natural

environment Many of these actions have been captured in the draft Environmental Framework, but aan approved community plan is the next step. STRATHCONA COUNTY SUPPPORTS NEW EDMONTON REGION HYDROGEN HUB The Edmonton Region Hydrogen HUB, launched on April 15 by an alliance of government, Indigenous, academic and economic development leaders, hopes to kickstart the Edmonton Region’s low-carbon hydrogen economy and position the region, Alberta and Canada for success as the world shifts towards a low-carbon future to address climate change. Backed by $600,000 from Alberta’s Industrial Heartland Association, $1.2 million in funding from Western Economic Diversification Canada, and $450,000 from the Province of Alberta, the HUB’s leadership team includes Chair and Sturgeon County Mayor Alanna Hnatiw, Vice-Chair and Enoch Cree Nation Chief William Morin, Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson, Fort Saskatchewan Mayor Gale Katchur, Strathcona County Mayor Rod Frank, Lamont County Reeve David Diduck and Alexander First Nation Chief George Arcand, Jr. The Edmonton Region Hydrogen HUB is also supported by The Transition Accelerator and Edmonton Global. The HUB’s launch comes as countries around the world set net-zero targets and identify hydrogen as a vital low-carbon fuel. A final report released by Alberta’s Industrial Heartland Hydrogen Task Force outlined that Canadian hydrogen has a wholesale market potential of up to $100 billion a year and identified the Edmonton Region as the best launch point for a pan-Canadian hydrogen economy. Zero Emission Hydrogen Transit Project [ZEHT) One or two buses

• Shared between multiple municipalities (Edmonton, Strathcona, Calgary, Banff, others) • Leverage AZETEC fueling infrastructure

Why this approach?

• Fuel cell buses are already beyond technology development phase • Allows multiple agencies to ‘test drive’ the technology • Builds confidence for large orders of fuel cell buses-paired with permanent fueling

infrastructure and reliable H2 supply; supported by CIB or similar scale of funding • Provides context for Fleet Transition Studies and Plans including TCO and Alternative

drivetrain comparisons • Collect performance data for Alberta conditions

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2. Has your municipality allocated any budget dollars towards environmental/climate initiatives? Please provide high-level overview:

A Strategic Energy Master Plan (to be completed in 2022) will amend facility design standards to align with facility use energy targets and incorporate alternative energy systems or efficient technologies where appropriate. This will include new energy performance targets that will guide changes to operating procedures, equipment and adoption of newer technologies; this will reduce our overall energy demands. Training of operations staff in energy efficiency operations, procedures and advance technologies will help support the goal of creating high-performing facilities. On July 7, 2020 Council approved a greenhouse gas reduction target of 15% from 2018 levels by 2030.

Strathcona County is a founding member of the Beaver Hills Initiatives, providing resource and financial support since 2002. The foundation upon which the Beaver Hills Biosphere was built, the Beaver Hills Initiative, was formed in 2002 after the staff at Elk Island National Park identified the need to address unprecedented pressures from rapid growth and increased economic activity adjacent to the Park in and around the Beaver Hills moraine.

With the involvement of 20+ partner organizations, the Beaver Hills Initiative functioned as a regional, multi-stakeholder collaborative effort to address development and land use planning issues within the Beaver Hills moraine, with a focus on balancing sustainable economic and human development with environmental conservation. In addition to providing a platform for partners to share and develop tools and knowledge to balance sustainable economic and human development with environmental conservation in the region, the considerable efforts of the Beaver Hills Initiative partners led to the designation of the Beaver Hills as a Biosphere Reserve.

The Beaver Hills was designated as a biosphere on March 19, 2016 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This is a global recognition of a collective commitment by the communities within the region to celebrate and advance knowledge, culture, nature and economy together. UNESCO-designated biospheres are regions in which people live and work in harmony with nature. These are places that provide local solutions to global challenges.

The Astotin Creek Resiliency Study was approved in 2020 to address flooding issues and build resiliency into the Astotin Creek drainage system. Council approved $650,000 for a comprehensive study and management plan for the creek. Key goals of the study are to:

• Create an action plan that will address flood, drought and water quality issues in priority areas within the Astotin Creek basin  

• Restore and enhance ecological connectivity and function in critical areas of the Astotin Creek basin

• Increase capacity, knowledge, awareness and participation by industrial landowners, private landowners and agricultural producers in activities that can restore and maintain critical areas and functions of Astotin Creek.

Resiliency refers to a creek’s ability to withstand and recover from drought and flood without the creek losing its ability to function or suffering damage that it can’t recover from naturally without intervention.

May 3, 2021 Page 38 of 45

There are essentially 3 major components to the study which are engagement, environment and engineering.

1) Engagement allows both the stakeholders and the county to share their knowledge, issues and experiences with each other. These exchanges will aid in forming the action plan and help inform balanced decision making. Education and awareness of the importance of Astotin Creek on the landscape is a key message of the engagement and communication plan.

2) Environment focuses on defining the form and function of Astotin Creek on the landscape, and how the county and other stakeholders can build upon its resilience.

3) Engineering will address how infrastructure like stormwater ponds, roads and bridges interact with Astotin Creek and how future upgrades or new infrastructure might help contribute to the creek’s resiliency.

The Climate Resilience Exchange brought together Edmonton, Strathcona County, Leduc, Devon, Stony Plain, Spruce Grove, Wetaskiwin and St. Albert to look at the climate change impacts that transcend their municipal boundaries and will impact their economies, quality of life, infrastructure and natural environment. The highest priority areas included the effects of climate change on water security, and increase in invasive species and pests, and how to keep our urban forests healthy. The 2018 project also created a virtual climate resilient home to help homeowners, builders and designers find information on how to protect homes from flooding, wildfire, extreme weather and increasing temperatures. The Climate Resilience Exchange was led by All One Sky Foundation with support from the Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program, delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and funded by the Government of Canada. Additional funding and support came from the partner municipalities and the Edmonton Community Foundation.


a) To residents: Water Efficient rebate

b) To businesses: Strathcona County-Heartland incentive program - A tax exemption equivalent to 1% of eligible capital costs Strathcona County is a globally competitive and ideal investment location for Clean Energy. As of January 1, 2021 new projects and expansion projects within the Energy value chain that choose to locate in Strathcona County’s Industrial Heartland area can now apply for a tax exemption equivalent to 1% of total eligible capital costs. Strathcona County’s Heartland Incentive is complementary in alignment to the Government of Alberta’s APIP (Alberta Petrochemical Incentive Program), which also offers grants for eligible facilities that are valued up to 12% of eligible capital costs. Incentive criteria An eligible project must:

• Be physically located within Strathcona County’s Industrial Heartland

• Be within the Energy Value Chain Project or Associated Infrastructure

• Be either a new construction or expansion project

May 3, 2021 Page 39 of 45

• Have a capital cost greater than $50 million CAD

• Employ at least 250 construction workers or 15 permanent staff after construction concluded

• Not be transitioning development from one Alberta Industrial Heartland municipality to another

• Meet other legal and financial requirements as outlined in the bylaw Examples of clean energy projects that would be eligible for the HIP program in Strathcona County are:

A. Strathcona County is focused on attracting new investment in the hydrogen sector. We have an abundance of natural gas that can be converted into blue hydrogen that is 95% environmentally clean energy. Our area is already one of the largest producers of hydrogen with over 5,000 tonnes of hydrogen produced each day. With growing public pressure, the decarbonization of fossil fuels is a focus for energy producers. We will continue to support large hydrogen producers in our region such Air Products and Air Liquide, whilst working with significant new hydrogen investment in our region.

B. Carbon Capture Sequestration (CCS) is the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide. It is one method of reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere with the goal of reducing global climate change. This process is imperative to produce blue hydrogen and is attracting global attention in fighting greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Strathcona County currently has two CCS projects in the region Shell-Quest and the Alberta Carbon Trunk Line (ACTL). Each CCS project is new, state of the art technology. The ACTL line is at a 10-15% capacity, which provides ample opportunity for encouraging increased capacity. Strathcona County-Economic Development and Tourism continues to work on new CCS projects that would be eligible under the HIP program. The recycled carbon dioxide can be used for enhanced oil field recovery and can stored in Strathcona County’s geological formation.

C. The recycling of the plastics in the circular economy is vital for environmental sustainability. Strathcona County continues to support these initiatives in conjunction with the Alberta Industrial Heartland. In Strathcona County we support a company called Enerkem that converts non-recyclable, non-compostable waste into biofuels and other renewable chemicals, with better economics and greater sustainability than other technologies relying on fossil sources.


a) What is your starting baseline (year/amount)? 2018 b) What is your target reduction (year/amount)? 15% by 2030 c) What is your municipality’s top 5 sources of GHG emissions? (e.g., transportation,

manufacturing, industry and construction, commercial and institutional buildings, residential buildings, etc.) In no particular order, transportation, industry, residential heating, commercial heating, agriculture.

May 3, 2021 Page 40 of 45

5. Is your municipality using or planning to use offsets to achieve GHG emission reductions? If so, please describe.

A Green Fleet is simply defined as any fleet of any size with a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, waste sent to landfills, and conventional fuel consumption. Vehicles are the most obvious component of a fleet, but shop operations can significantly contribute to emission and waste reductions. Opportunities for the use of recycled or re-refined lubricants and non-toxic cleaning chemicals can realize reduction goals. In order to achieve a green fleet goals, technology is required to track emissions, idling, and other measurements that contribute to a reduction in emissions, waste, and fuel. Data informs decision-making and ultimately the success of a green fleet. The purpose of a Green Fleet Procedure is to guide fleet greening to directly inform and influence Strathcona County’s greenhouse gas emission reduction goals, reduce the use of non-renewable resources, and improve fuel efficiency.

6. Is your municipality part of or considering a program(s) – i.e. PACE program, tax rebates for retrofits?

Yes, we are currently researching a Green Renovation Program, previously identified as a strategic initiative under the draft Environmental Framework within the Airshed, Watershed, Waste and Energy outcomes. Incentivizing retrofits for residential insulation, windows, water, and space heating, will decrease emissions from our community. While this has been identified by Council as a priority initiative, development of a program to meet the needs of our community within the capacity across affected departments will have a financial impact on the 2022 budget. Research underway currently will inform the decision-making process and set an efficient and effective path forward.

7. Are there partners that your municipality is working with to achieve your climate objectives?• Alberta Capital Airshed • Alberta Environment Air Quality

Oversight Advisory Committee • Beaver Hills Biosphere • Climate Resiliency Exchange • Fort Air Partnership

• Nature Conservancy Canada • North Saskatchewan Watershed

Alliance • Municipal Climate Change Action

Centre


Coordinated land use planning, Master Drainage planning, transportation planning and infrastructure, and conserving natural landscapes by integrating gray and green infrastructure.

Regional climate adaptation and mitigation planning would set outcomes and objectives and build upon existing collaboration to ensure jurisdictional outcomes are met. Municipalities capacity can be enhanced and sustained by sharing knowledge while respecting place-based outcomes and objectives. Nature-based climate mitigation solutions are a Strathcona County focus while providing regional climate resiliency.

Public engagement to build awareness and education to guide behaviour change as we collectively transition to energy and economy diversification and reconnect with our natural world.

May 3, 2021 Page 41 of 45

Sturgeon County

Municipality: Sturgeon County

Size (area): 2,090 sq. KM

Population: 20,495

1. Do you have environmental or climate change objectives and/or initiatives included in your municipal strategic plans? Please provide examples of the initiatives have you undertaken in the last 5 years? What do you hope to accomplish in the next 5 years? Yes. Environmental Stewardship is one of six Focus Areas in Sturgeon County’s current Strategic Plan 2018-2027. The County is undergoing an update to its Strategic Plan (with an expected completion date of Fall 2021) and an enhanced environmental focus has been identified by County Council as a desired area for prioritization. In the County’s current Corporate Business Plan, several strategic initiatives are identified within the Environmental Stewardship Focus Area (though, many more projects will appear within a forthcoming updated Plan), including:

• Advanced Metering Infrastructure, Phase 1 (Sturgeon Valley) • Alternative Land Use Services • Trail Maintenance Program • Wetland Replacement Program • Community Clean Up Day

It is Sturgeon County’s intention to monitor the impact of development and growth on the community’s natural assets (like sand dunes, rich farmland, and the Sturgeon River) and to preserve the integrity of our environment and its link to quality of life for residents. Sturgeon County also supports a variety of ongoing operational activities related to environmental stewardship, like watershed and airshed management, registered drainage ditch inspections, exploring green initiatives such as solar energy, household hazardous waste roundups, and dedicated efforts around tree planting. To realize our environmental objectives over the next five-years, Sturgeon County expects to accomplish the following: 1. Have an ESG Framework in place that establishes a tactical plan addressing the organization’s

emission reduction goals and to ensure the natural environment is responsibly managed for current and future generations,

2. Facilitate a healthy co-existence between the community’s natural, industrial, agricultural, rural, and urban environments,

3. Organize education and awareness campaigns directed at County residents and businesses to better facilitate the understanding and importance behind conservation practices in protecting watersheds, airsheds and reducing waste, including agricultural waste.

4. Facilitate the green-ification of the Sturgeon County organization. Future Strategic Initiatives the County will be investing in, or seriously exploring, include solar energy, the hydrogen economy, municipal fleet conversion, water and agricultural innovations, waste to resource, and development of environmental policy frameworks.

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For a full list of environmental initiatives the County is progressing as part of Budget 2021, please see response within question 2 below.

2. Has your municipality allocated any budget dollars towards environmental/climate

initiatives? Please provide high-level overview: In 2021, Sturgeon County will invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in new initiatives to improve its environmental planning and to attract environmentally sound business development. The County is well positioned to foster the potential behind Canada’s bourgeoning hydrogen industry, with additional funding earmarked for investment attraction supports and the development of an environmental planning services roadmap. Other budget dollars have been dedicated in 2021 to environmental/climate initiatives, such as:

• Drainage Program – 2020 Master Plan (overall $75 million of required funding) • Continued upgrades at Cardiff Park, a 160-acre open space within Sturgeon County • Asset Management Plan and Registry • Infrastructure Redundancy – assurance of backup/redundant power and regional connectivity • Alternative Land Use Strategy Program (ALUS) – 2021 resource supporting ecosystem

construction • Advanced Wetland Rehabilitation – $1 million targeted effort in wetland reconstruction • Water Conservation – water-infiltration identification • Energy Management – funded two-year Municipal Energy Manager position • Naturalization Efforts within parks and County-owned lands • Increased tree planting and development of a County-wide tree inventory program • Permaculture in erosion control • Open Space Master Plan advancement, including trail development • Continued support of regional watershed planning • Vegetation and pest management programs

There are also a number of complementary initiatives identified within Sturgeon County 2021 Budget to help achieve our environmental-focus goals; this includes, but is not limited to, broadband and digitization initiatives, corporate responsibility, planning and policy efforts, pilots and partnerships, and municipal branding.

3. Please list any incentives that your municipality provides: a) To residents: None at this time. b) To businesses: Sturgeon County is finalizing its participation in the “Heartland Incentive

Program” which will provide specific taxation deferrals to major energy value chain investments. This program will include a bonus criteria for industrial ESG alignment, which places Sturgeon County in a regional leadership position.

May 3, 2021 Page 43 of 45

4. Is your municipality currently tracking its GHG emissions? If yes, a) What is your starting baseline (year/amount)? Sturgeon County has undertaken some

preliminary assessments of our emissions, specifically related to fuel use and the potential impact of the carbon tax.

Fuel

Litres

Emissions (tonnes) 2020

CO2 CH4 N2O CO2e Gasoline 250,00

0 543.5 0.03 0.01 545.6

Diesel 750,000

1,958 0.1 0.02 1,963

GJ CO2 CH4 N2O CO2e

Natural Gas

9,857 513.0 0.01 0.01 515.9

Total 4,971.5 0.2 0.04 4,988.4

b) What is your target reduction (year/amount)? Specific targets have not yet been set. c) What is your municipality’s top 5 sources of GHG emissions? (e.g.,

transportation, manufacturing, industry and construction, commercial and institutional buildings, residential buildings, etc.) Requires more fulsome analysis. Industrial and agricultural activities are prevalent in Sturgeon County.

5. Is your municipality using or planning to use offsets to achieve GHG emission

reductions? If so, please describe. Sturgeon County Solar Array Project - Sturgeon County received a grant from the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre to instal 312 solar modules at our Protective Services Headquarters building. The 255 x 385W dark coloured panels on the roof and 57 x 310W units on the building exterior will deliver significant benefits to our community including:

• Production of 113,300 kWh per year (equivalent to supplying 14.5 average Alberta household’s electricity for a year).

• Estimated annual reduction of 64.5 tonnes of GHG emissions. • Council approved motion to pursue additional implementation measures; currently investigating

potential next steps with newly hired Municipal Energy Specialist. Edmonton Region Hydrogen Hub - Sturgeon County is a leader within the Edmonton Region Hydrogen Hub. With support from The Transition Accelerator, planning is underway for over 25 potential projects related to the supply, delivery and use of low- carbon hydrogen. Potential projects include the use of hydrogen for municipal and commercial vehicle fleets and home and industrial heat and power. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) - Sturgeon County’s Alberta Carbon Trunk

Line (ACTL) is one of the world’s newest and largest CCS projects, and will sequester up to 1.8 megatons (MT) of CO2 per year from the Sturgeon Refinery, and Nutrien’s Redwater Fertilizer plant. The ACTL has capacity to support more projects over time, and positions Alberta as a world leader.

May 3, 2021 Page 44 of 45

6. Is your municipality part of or considering a program(s) – i.e. PACE program, tax rebates for retrofits? County Administration is investigating the possibility of a Clean Energy Improvement Program, which is expected to come to Council for consideration in early May. Administration will also be meeting with AUMA in early May to discuss the program and how it could be administered in Sturgeon County.

7. Are there partners that your municipality is working with to achieve your climate

objectives? Sturgeon County partners and collaborates with various specialised regional initiatives and bodies that contribute to local environmental stewardship and regional collaboration in tackling cross boundary sustainability issues. Several partnerships of note:

Alberta Capital Airshed The Alberta Capital Airshed (ACA) is a not-for-profit, regional, multi stakeholder organization working to address air quality issues in the Edmonton Region. The ACA is a neutral organization that monitors, collects and shares air quality information and data.

As well as providing outreach and educational initiatives to increase air quality awareness and facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogue to address local issues. Sturgeon County formally joined the Airshed in 2019, and currently Chair the ACA Community monitoring group.

Sturgeon River Watershed Alliance The Sturgeon River Watershed Alliance (SRWA) is a municipally supported watershed stewardship group established for the Sturgeon River sub watershed. The SRWA is guided by a Steering Committee made up of elected municipal officials from the Sturgeon sub watershed, including Deputy Mayor Dan Derouin (Division 1) and a Technical Advisory Committee made up of municipal staff and invited experts. The SRWA works on numerous projects including the Watershed Management Plan.

Capital Region Municipal Sustainability Group Sturgeon County sits on the Capital Regional Municipal Sustainability Group which includes numerous municipalities from the Edmonton Region, who regularly meet to discuss topical issues, share best practices and connect municipalities on sustainability issues.

Edmonton Region Hydrogen HUB Launched in April 2021, the Edmonton Region Hydrogen Hub is an alliance of government, Indigenous, academic and economic development leaders to kickstart the Edmonton Region’s low-carbon hydrogen economy and position the region, Alberta and Canada for success as the world shifts towards a low-carbon future to address climate change.

Municipal Climate Change Action Centre Sturgeon County has accessed funding through the MCCAC to hire a Municipal Energy Specialist. This position will play a key role in conducting an audit of our municipal energy use and will identify opportunities for improvements.

8. What do you think are the greatest opportunities/can be the biggest gain for the Region? • Developing a strong regional hydrogen economy centred within Alberta’s industrial heartland,

and advancing innovation towards a net zero / circular economy. • Waste management drive to zero waste. • Support of the circular economy.

May 3, 2021 Page 45 of 45

Awareness of Potential Funding Opportunities Legend:

Awareness of program Y = Yes, N = No _ = no answer

YYY = yes on all three indicators YNN = aware but didn’t apply or receive funding Applied to program

Received funding

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a) Green Municipal Fund at FCM YYY YYY YYY YNN YYY YNN YNN YYY YNN YYN YYY YNN YYN b) Municipalities for Climate

Innovation Program (MCIP) at FCM (68 specific funding streams)

NNN YYY YNN YNN YYY YNN YNN YNN YNN YYY YYY YNN YNN

c) Alberta Communities Partnership (ACP) from GoA YYY YYY YNN NNN YYY YYY YNN YYY NNN YNN YYY YYY YYY

d) Municipal Climate Change Action Centre via AUMA/RMA YYN YYY YYY YNN YYY NNN YY_ YYY YYY YYY YNN YYY YYY

e) Bloomberg Philanthropies NNN NNN YNN NNN NNN NNN NNN NNN NNN YNN NNN NNN YNN f) Nature Smart Climate Solutions

from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and Agriculture and AgriFood Canada (AAFC)

NNN NNN YNN NNN YNN NNN NNN YNN YNN YNN NNN YNN NNN

g) Municipal Community Generation Challenge – Alberta Innovates w/ AUMA/RMA

YN_

h) Alberta Beverage Container Recycling/Alberta Bottle Depot YYY YYY

i) Alberta Recycling Management Authority YYY

j) Natural Resources Canada - EBCx demonstration/pilot project

YYY

k) Tree Canada YYY l) Alberta Environment Wetland

Replacement Program YYY