Let’s start off this week with some good news, Castlegar City Council just voted unanimously to pass your 100% Renewable Energy Plan! Castlegar joins Kalso, Warfield, and Rossland as the first municipalities across the West Kootenays to officially adopt the plan. You are leading the way to a 100% renewable energy future. How are you celebrating this huge moment? You might have heard me cheering from the hilltops, I went out for a celebratory walk under the stars last night and couldn’t help but let out a joyful yahoo!
“I am proud to be part of this community! I am looking forward to participating in making Castlegar more sustainable and environmentally friendly, so that our community, children, future generations and other species can enjoy living in a healthy and caring environment.” Says Olga, Castlegar Volunteer Team Member
Councillor Sue Heaton-Sherstobitoff has been a local champion in this process.
“I am so very proud of our Council and Staff for going through this process and voting in favour of the December 2020 West Kootenay 100% Renewable Energy Plan. The four priority ‘big move’ actions are items that the City has already been working towards over the last few years. I believe the majority of the world is in the middle of a huge transition towards 100% renewable energy in order to combat climate change. 2050 is just 30 years away. So a transition to 100% renewable energy is about making an investment in our future. If we don’t act now what will the future hold for our kids and our grandchildren.” Says Sue Heaton-Sherstobitoff, Castlegar City Councillor.
Castlegar has identified potential actions for each Big Moves strategy, including:
- Develop an electric vehicle charging strategy
- Increase efficiency requirements for new buildings (Step Code)
- Adopt a voluntary standard for retrofitting older buildings
- Participate in regional organics composting
Rossland, Warfield, and Kaslo have also adopted the renewable energy transition plan. New Denver, Silverton, Slocan, and Regional District of Central Kootenay will be bringing the plan forward for adoption this year.
View a video from City Councillors supporting this initiative here.
With the start of a new year, I want to focus on all of the good around us. Yesterday’s council meeting was an excellent example of that, seeing Castlegar Council unanimously support a transition to 100% Renewable Energy, I felt a sense of optimism that is so important during this time. Thank you, Castlegar and the Castlegar volunteer team for making this happen, and for leading the way for other rural small town communities!