Council endorsed the community-developed Community Energy Plan in 2007.  Since that time we have partnered with local organizations and businesses to forge a new energy future for Guelph.  Combining conservation, efficiency, local generation (both heat and power), renewable energy and smart grids, the initiative will build a more reliable, secure, sustainable and affordable energy future […]

Today, I was thrilled to showcase our Community Energy Initiative at the Transatlantic Urban Climate Dialogue  fourth workshop. (From the left: Martin E. Nohe, Coles District Supervisor, Prince William County; Mayor Karen Farbridge; Bernd Tischler, Lord Mayor of Bottrop and Bob Lazaro, Mayor, Town of Purcellville.) My welcome speech to the participants:   • Good morning! […]

Guelph is proud to host the Transatlantic Urban Climate Dialogue (TUCD) fourth workshop focusing on Integrated Community Energy Systems: Sustainable City Building, Competitiveness and Economic Development on May 14-16.  The Project is supported by the Transatlantic Program of the Federal Republic of Germany as Part of the European Recovery Program (ERP) of the Federal Ministry […]

There is an incredible level of local green building expertise in this community. They are helping us achieve the goals of the Community Energy Initiative and are partners in our Blue Built Home initiative to promote water conservation. There is a good story on one example of this on page 62 of the HPAC – […]

I was pleased to accept cheques today from Union Gas and Guelph Hydro to support our energy conservation goals.  We received $37,612 from Guelph Hydro and $10,000 from Union Gas. We will have future opportunities to apply for funding as we implement individual projects. Here are my speaking notes: The City of Guelph takes energy […]

News from globeandmail.com Toward greener, smarter cities Friday, April 20, 2012 Environmentally friendly initiatives help cities cut down on pollution and lower their energy costs, among other benefits NICK ROCKEL Special to The Globe and Mail When Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside delivered the 2006 State of the City address, he put aside his prepared remarks. […]

Guelph Hydro’s sustainability efforts and their relationship with the City of Guelph have been profiled in an article in the January 2012 Energy edition of Municipal World magazine (www.municipalworld.com). Municipal World Powerhouse of a Partnership January 2012

I was asked to give a keynote address at the Canadian Solar Industry Association this morning in Toronto. Five years ago, 500 people attended their conference.  This year they had 5000 registrants.  They are now the largest energy conference in Canada. My key message to the audience was that communities can effectively partner with the […]

The City has just replaced the old metal halide lighting at Exhibition Arena with magnetic induction lighting. This energy efficient lighting uses the principle of Induction (the transmission of energy by way of magnetic field). It will result in more than 60% energy savings, about $5,400 in cost savings annually.  The lights use less electricity and also give […]