Business groups voice early concerns about how Saskatoon plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Business groups are voicing skepticism about some of the methods Saskatoonis mulling to reduce city-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent over the next 30 years.

The Northern Saskatchewan Business Association and the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce which collectively represent hundreds of local businesses say some of the 40 green initiatives contemplated by the city have prompted concerns from business owners.

Of particular concern are proposed electric and thermal energy consumption caps on new commercial and industrial buildings within the next four years, plus a plan to eventually mandate "deep energy retrofits" for owners of those types of buildings.

Keith Moen, the NSBA's executive director, told a selection of city councillors Tuesday that the cost of those improvements need to be weighed against the needs of business owners.

"Simply put, in order to have significant emission reductions, businesses need to be able to afford to implement the changes," Moen said.

"To illustrate an extreme yet entirely possible example, if the business cannot afford to implement the mandatory change and closes then technically it has reduced its emissions to zero."

Read a summary of the city's 40-point plan below.

Moen said the NSBA was not out to fear-monger or "dodge the burden of responsibility."

"This is a real concern for businesses in a tight economy and a city where the costs of construction andelectricity are continually rising due to regulatory change," he said.

Darla Lindbjerg, president and CEO of the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber launched a survey with its members late last week.

From Thursday to Friday, 61 per cent of responding members said they were opposed to the city's low-emissions plan,though only 68 people actually provided input into the poll quoted to councillors,Lindbjerg later clarified.

"Most responses indicated that they would find little or no benefit from for their business from this plan," she said.

There's absolutely no way I can support the 40 line items that were brought to us in its current form to hit that 80-per-cent number.- Troy Davies, Saskatoon city councillor

In a 4-1 vote, councillors on the environment committee endorsed the idea of discussing the plan more at a futurecity council meeting.

Councillor Troy Davies was the lone dissenting vote, saying he thinks the city should take a slower and less target-driven approach.

"If I could jump in the DeLorean and fire up the flux capacitor and go back to 2017, I would have voted against this 80 percent number not because I don't think it's a good idea but I don't think it was a fair or realistic goal to set for administration," Davis said.

"There's absolutely no way I can support the 40 line items that were brought to us in its current form to hit that 80-per-cent number."

Davies said he supported some of the shorter-term initiatives under the plan, but that he wants the city to consult the public on each and every phase of the plan.

Mayor Charlie Clark stressed that "council is not even being asked to approve this whole plan today."

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A report from administration warns that if no action is undertaken, emissions will continue to rise. According to the report, gasoline use is expected to increase by almost 50 per cent by 2050, while natural gas use is expected to grow by 123 per cent.

Administration is recommending council approve a plan that would cost the city $435,000 in 2020 and $987,000 in 2021. The plan would include creating a high-performance building policy to make structures more efficient.

The recommended option also includes creating a waste strategy for multi-unit buildings and businesses.