Trail City Council unanimously voted to transition the community to 100% renewable energy no later than 2050 on Monday, April 25. Trail is the 13th community in the Kootenays to commit to a healthy, safe, and secure community powered by clean and renewable energy. Way to go, Trail!
Trail joins the Kootenay communities of Castlegar, Creston, Fruitvale, Golden, Kaslo, Nelson, New Denver, Rossland, Silverton, Slocan, Warfield, Regional District of Central Kootenay to work to achieve 100% clean energy across their all energy use sectors, including heating and cooling, transportation, electricity and waste management. City staff will collaborate with experts and residents, as well as consult the West Kootenay 100% Renewable Energy Plan and collaborate with the regional local government working group, to develop a transition plan by March 15, 2023.
Over the past couple of years, our team spoke with over 1000 Trail residents and heard over and over that people are already feeling the impacts of climate change. Folks are worried about their families and neighbours staying healthy and safe from wildfire smoke, strong winds, floods, landslides and extreme heat. But what can be done from the backyard of one community?
Transitioning to 100% renewable energy is the common-sense approach to protecting everyone against these impacts while creating a healthy community, with good paying jobs. From our 1000+ conversations on door steps, on phones, and at community events, it’s clear, the community of Trail supports this clean energy transition.
The momentum in Trail can give us all hope. From the Trail’s active transportation plan to making energy-efficient upgrades to city infrastructure — the energy transition is already happening, even in Canadian small towns. Saying yes to transition to 100% renewable energy just makes sense.