Ottawa committee seeks stable city funding for climate projects

A City of Ottawa committee agreed to look into creating an "energy and emissions fund" on Tuesday after residents criticized a lack of stable funding for climate change projects.

City council declared a climate emergency in 2019followed by a climate change master plan anda long list of ways to hit the target of net zerogreenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

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A local"energy evolution" to transitionbuildings and vehicles off fossil fuelscould cost the huge sum of $31.8 billion in today's dollars, city staff previously estimated, butretrofits and efficiencies could start to offset that spending in a decade.

Despite their big analysis one year ago, the municipal budget only allocatesa sliver of the dividend it receives from Hydro Ottawa towardclimate change projects. In 2022, that representsjust $800,000 for seven projects, which include identifying a handful of municipal solar power sites and electric vehicle charging stations.

Capital ward Coun. ShawnMenardpraised the hard-working, small group of city staff that works on climate files there will soon be 10 staff members as he proposedan extra $1 million in one-time funding for 2022. For the long term, Menard suggested taking savings, such as fromconverting traditional lighting to LED, and rolling them back into a new fund.

"We as a city need to move on this," saidMenardof the energy evolution plan. "The only way we get the savings on the other end, is if we actually start to invest in it."

LRTconstruction just 'business as usual'

The standing committee on environmental protection, water and waste managementapproved Menard's motion,asit passed its 2022 draft budget. Councillors AllanHubley and GeorgeDarouzedissented on the Menard motion, and the full budget still needs final council approval on Dec. 8.

City staff had pointed to city-run climate-related initiatives such as the construction of the second phase of light rail and plans to purchase 74 electric buses.

Angela Keller-Herzog of Community Associationsfor Environmental Sustainabilitydismissed light rail construction as an example of a project with the climate at top of mind, as it was launched before the declaration of a climate emergency.

She also pointed to how the city quickly found $60 million to pay for the central library's higher price tag, andsaid climate files should be treated as urgently.

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Retired atmospheric scientist John D. Reid alsocalled on the city to developaseparate budget to track its greenhouse gas emissions, insisting they should be watched as closely as dollars spent.

General manager Steve Willis said the city waspoised to test outa carbon budgetinsidetwo departments when the pandemic hit. They will look to resume it next year.

Garbage fee up 11 per cent in 2022

The committee approved$617million in operational spending and $298 million in capital projects for 2022 overall, because it covers manymunicipal mainstays, from supplying water to garbage and recycling pickup.

Several city councillors described how residents are concerned aboutwater bill increases beyond the rate of inflation, and beyond the rate of property tax increases. For 2022, that increase is expected to reach an average of 4.2 per cent.

Deputy treasurer Isabel Jasmin explained that's part of a multi-year plan to catch up on paying for infrastructure upgrades.

The solid waste fee on the property tax bill is rising, too, but for a different reason.

Homes with curbside pickup will see a $118 item on their 2022 bills, a $12 increase from2021. The garbage fee for units in multi-unit residential buildings has climbed even more steeply in recent years. They will pay $77.50 in 2022.

Committee chair Coun. Scott Moffatt explained those changes aredirectly tied to cost increasesin contracts with waste collectors.Thegarbage fee also contains an extra $4 for single-family homes and $2 for multi-residential units to pay for landfill upgrades.