Lake Country Endorses Progressive Plan to Reduce Municipal Carbon Footprint

Lake Country, BC – In an effort to reduce the carbon footprint of their municipal operations and meet the terms of the provincial Climate Action Charter, the District of Lake Country Council recently developed and endorsed a new Carbon Neutral Operations Plan. Lake Country signed the province’s Climate Action Charter in 2007, requiring them to become carbon neutral in their municipal operations by the end of 2012.

By reducing or offsetting their municipal carbon emissions, Lake Country intends to provide an example of how municipal carbon neutrality can become a reality, and by doing the right thing can also position themselves for continued senior government grants. “This plan has allowed us to inventory all aspects of the municipal operation over time, identify cost saving areas and historic trends, as well as narrow in on those facilities needing the most attention” says Mayor, James Baker.

Development Services Manager, Mark Koch, explains that “the different energy sources used by the municipality over the past three years were tabulated, and converted into tons of carbon equivalent, allowing the municipality to understand the true carbon footprint of the District’s water system, sewer infrastructure, arena, works facilities as well as other District functions”. While not tying the District to any one solution, the plan provides a framework for future green technology investment decisions to be made in the most impactful areas, favoring local reduction solutions over offsetting, where possible.

While the District believes that reducing their consumption of electricity, gasoline, natural gas, and all other fuel sources simply makes good business sense, they also plan on using revenue from the award winning Lake Country Hydroelectric Generating Station to help offset costs associated with becoming carbon neutral.  

For more information, contact:

Mark Koch, Development Services Manager

250 766 6674 mkoch@lakecountry.bc.ca

Alberto De Feo, Chief Administrative Officer

250  766 6671 administrator@lakecountry.bc.ca