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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2018-5-24, Page 8PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 24, 2018. Council lauds Oxford green goals By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Huron County Council has applauded the efforts of Oxford County to reach 100 per cent renewable energy by 2050 for all of its operations and hopes to get there itself one day as well. Oxford County Warden David Mayberry spoke to Huron County Council at its May 16 committee of the whole meeting about his county's goals and initiatives. He said that while Oxford County's goal is to be completely off of fossil fuels by 2050, he feels it can actually be accomplished much sooner than that. Mayberry told council that the project began with a community sustainability plan and a committee to carry out the plan. The focus was the three pillars of sustainability: economy, community and the environment. He began by telling councillors that while the myth has persisted that times could be better, much of southwestern Ontario is living in the best time in its history. The economy is robust, unemployment is low and it's time to actually reflect on the world, he said, and take a look at the bigger picture. "In reality, we know this isn't the worst of times," Mayberry said. "We need to lift our nose off the grindstone and look at where the world is going." With technology and innovation at the forefront of today's economy, Mayberry said that North America is actually entering the third industrial revolution and information, innovation and technology will lead the revolution. In Oxford County, he said, council is committed to creating zero waste, having zero poverty and being 100 per cent dependent on renewable energy by 2050. He said that involves converting the county's fleet to electric or hydrogen cars and building county buildings to passive house standards, meaning they will use very little energy to heat and cool. He spoke about social housing units that have been constructed to passive house standards in Oxford County. Each unit is between 500 and 600 square feet and costs between $5 and $7 per month to heat and cool. Most bills, then, are under $50 per year, he said. He said that while those figures speak for themselves in terms of benefit to both residents and to the county, they also have an economic development aspect to them as well. The more money those in social housing can save on their heating, cooling and energy bills, the more money they can spend in their home communities, meaning a win/win situation for the county. In addition to the electric fleet implementation, the county is also focusing on the generation of renewable energy throughout the community. While the county generates its fair share of wind power, which Mayberry acknowledged is a controversial issue in southwestern Ontario, the county is also heavily supporting solar, biogas and hydrogen projects throughout the community. The one Mayberry finds most fascinating, he said, is hydrogen storage. In Oxford County, Mayberry said that $300 million leaves the county every year for various forms of energy. The whole project, he said, began as a means of trying to keep that money in the community year after year. In addition, through a number of power -generating methods, the province is creating too much power and selling it off because it's unable to store it. Converting energy into hydrogen, which can be stored and then used when needed, seems to be the efficient solution to much of the area's energy problems. He also said that simple methods of conserving energy could be employed and hydro bills could be cut in half. Another method of increasing efficiency within Oxford, he said, would be a subsidy program with local businesses, manufacturers and entrepreneurs to work with building materials that would be of use in Oxford County. Designing and constructing public buildings to the passive house standard, Mayberry said, means importing efficient windows from countries like Germany or Ireland and heat exchangers from the Czech Republic. If those materials could be produced in Oxford County, he said, not only would it save the county in purchasing bulk materials overseas, but it would stimulate the local economy and create new businesses and jobs. Yes, he said, the county would have to subsidize these businesses to get on their feet, but it wouldn't take long for them to learn the tricks of the trade and be producing successfully in today's marketplace. He did acknowledge, however, that one of the biggest hurdles currently in place is that the return on investment for renewable and efficient energy simply isn't where it needs to be just yet. When it does reach that point, however, that will improve the public's will to come aboard. Right now, he said, it costs between three and 10 per cent more to build a passive house -standard building than it is to build it to the Ontario Building Code standards. Much of that, however, is extra time and effort put into learning the new way of doing things, he said, not a higher cost of material. In years to come, he said, as builders become more familiar with passive house -standards buildings, he estimates those costs will drop to between three and five per cent more than a standard building. Warden Jim Ginn, who had requested Mayberry's presentation for Huron County Council, said he was very encouraged with Mayberry's presentation and that he feels that Oxford's goals are the way of the future that all counties will have to get behind. moth truNdnONAL = PIING MUCH a RUR1 EXPO PAY olderthe .8/? Lioirtc 0146 Or 7110c4card pnd -F' fy STCPPer/ s / inTorPewbor.. toai4 r RE 0 0 2 0 L 7: 0 9/ L 9---. ? 0 ®7... SO PER 201$ M a ro4 Do/F DATE X X DOLLARS 100 01)/7 Still helping out Earlier this year, the International Plowing Match (IPM) Committee handed out plenty of money from the proceeds of the match via its committees. In addition, the IPM executive also made donations to groups and organizations who volunteered at the match. Above, Jeff McGavin, representing the IPM executive, donated $1,050 to the Blyth Lions Club, represented by Lion Alex Blair. (Photo submitted) Awarded The Tom Schauber Memorial Award, presented to Atom Local League player Hayden Lee, right, highlights the most improved Atom players in the Blyth Brussels Minor Hockey Association every year. The award was presented at the association's awards banquet by Michelle McNichol earlier this year. (Photo submitted) Obituaries MITCHELL RAYMOND BLAKE Mitchell Raymond Blake of RR 2, Brussels, passed away suddenly and tragically on Sunday, May 13, 2018. He was in his 31st year. Mitchell was the beloved son of Bruce and Michelle Blake, and the loving brother of Brandon and Bridget and fiance Jacob Williams. He was loved by Denise Thalen. Mitchell was the grandson of Marie Blake and the late George Blake and Jack and Esther McCutcheon. He will be remembered lovingly by many aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends. Mitch will forever be remembered for his beautiful smile and his ability to make everyone around him laugh with his wit and incredible sense of humour. A private family service took place on Friday, May 18. Friends and family were invited to a tribute to Mitch's life at the Royal Canadian Legion in Brussels on Friday, May 18. Donations to the Tanner Steffler Foundation would be appreciated. Donations and cards of sympathy may be forwarded to Box 340, Brussels. Condolences may be left at www.riversidefuneralhome.ca 4'Listowel Wingham HOSPITALS ALLIANCE Enriching Life's Journey Together Corporation of the Listowel Memorial Hospital Corporation of the Wingham and District Hospital ANNUAL MEETING & ELECTION OF DIRECTORS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2018 7:00 PM WINGHAM AND DISTRICT HOSPITAL BOARD ROOM 285 CATHERINE STREET WINGHAM, ONTARIO The Annual Meetings of the Listowel Memorial Hospital and Wingham and District Hospital will be held jointly for the purposes of receiving the financial reports and statements required by the Public Hospitals Act, for the election of Directors, and for the transaction of other such things as may properly come before the meeting. Copies of the Annual Report/Financial Statements may be obtained at the front desk of both Hospitals effective June 6, 2018 and at the Annual Meeting. Memberships granting voting privileges may be purchased at the front desk of the hospitals for five dollars ($5.00) prior to five o'clock p.m., Tuesday, May 30, 2018. No membership sold after that time will entitle the purchaser to vote at the Annual Meeting.