Richmond Continues to Lead the Way in Energy Efficiency
31 May 2006
The City of Richmond received a honourable mention for excellence in energy management at BC Hydro’s annual awards banquet earlier this month where organizations from throughout the Province were honoured for leadership in energy efficiency.
Richmond, one of nine BC Hydro Power Smart Certified clients, continues to be the only Power Smart Certified municipality in the province. Richmond has held this status since 2003 thanks to its outstanding record and continuing commitment to reducing energy use.
The City’s goals for energy efficiency include its overall energy management plan – to reduce its overall electricity use by 15 per cent by 2007 – is ahead of schedule. Richmond is working to accomplish this by maintaining and upgrading buildings and equipment to increase efficiencies, ensuring new buildings are designed and built to higher standards (i.e.: LEED certified), improving fleet operations to achieve real savings in fuel consumption and air emissions, and by implementing award winning purchasing policies.
In 2005, Richmond City Council adopted a Sustainable High Performance Building Policy for City-owned facilities. The policy includes incorporating high performance attributes into building design and construction to the maximum extent possible and identifies that LEED® BC (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) will be used as the standard by which to assess building performance.
The Hamilton Fire Hall is being constructed with a host of energy efficient sustainable features, and is striving to achieve LEED Gold status. And the Olympic Speed Skating Oval and Sea Island Fire Hall are being designed to achieve a minimum of a LEED® Silver Certification.
This summer, everyone can participate in easy solutions to implement energy conservation and money savings into their homes:
- Timers, photocells and motion sensors save energy by turning lights on and off automatically (they also provide security when you’re away.) Use of compact fluorescent, LED and other energy efficient lighting
- Solar lights are an energy-efficient lighting alternative for paths and walkways
- Make use of the summer sun. Hang clothes to dry outside to limit dryer usage and turn off lights whenever there is enough natural light available
- Pool and hot tub covers minimize heat loss and keep your pool or tub protected from debris
For more information on the City's energy efficiencies visit our Environment Policies & Initiatives section. For more Power Smart tips on saving energy and money visit www.bchydro.com.
