The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) has invited the City of Parksville to participate in the development of a Regional Strategy for Net Zero Buildings and Localized Energy Generation.
The project will identify the most effective ways local governments in the area can support the uptake of net zero buildings and localized energy generation, according to a letter to Parksville city council by Vanessa Craig, RDN chair.
The project aims to provide partnering local governments with a set of policy recommendations for driving net zero energy/emissions building and localized energy generation uptake. It will also help develop a better understanding of the environmental, social and financial impacts of different policy options, using region-specific data where feasible.
It will assess benefits and drawbacks of harmonizing approaches across the region and analyze potential impacts on greenhouse gas reductions and housing affordability.
READ MORE: PODCAST: A look ahead to 2023 with Vanessa Craig, board chair for the RDN
The final report will contain recommendations, including approaches for implementing BC Energy Step Code and BC Building Code voluntary Carbon Pollution Standard, with solutions informed by local conditions and local stakeholders.
The City of Parksville can incorporate specific questions into the project and work as a partner in strategy development and feasibility assessment of regional approaches. No financial costs to participate are anticipated other than staff time for project work, including project meetings, communications and assistance with stakeholder consultation, according to the letter.
The City of Nanaimo and the Town of Qualicum Beach will participate and the RDN is seeking participation from Parksville and the District of Lantzville to achieve full regional representation.
Parksville council voted unanimously to receive the correspondence.
— NEWS Staff