News
BC Energy Step Code: A Best Practices Guide for Local Governments
 Over the last year, Pinna has had the pleasure to work with the Energy Step Code Council to facilitate the implementation of the BC Energy Step Code and associated Provincial Policy, and now as a writer for this best practices guide. Coming into force in December 2017, BC local governments have the opportunity to voluntarily adopt one or more steps of the BC Energy Step Code to encourage, incentivize or require more energy efficient new buildings in their communities. This document is a collaboration of many partners and provides guidance for careful implementation to ensure a successful outcome for communities choosing to implement this "beyond code" set of standards. |
New Housing Guide: A primer for building culturally appropriate, high-performance homes in the Great Bear Region
 Remote First Nations of the Great Bear region share the goal of reducing fossil fuel dependency. Approximately half of the energy consumed in remote coastal communities is used to heat and power homes. Reducing the amount of energy used to heat homes, and retaining heat in a home helps to reduce the energy demand for the whole community. First Nations are working to develop energy efficient, culturally appropriate housing that is appropriate for the coastal weather conditions to support energy independence.The New Housing Guide provides a roadmap for coastal First Nations to develop housing that meets the needs, goals and requirements of their own communities. This tool can support remote First Nations to make decisions on how they pursue the planning and building of new homes over the short and long term. Pinna is honoured to support the development of the New Housing Guide at the request of the First Nations that are represented by the Great Bear Initiative, and to offer ongoing support to these communities as the Great Bear Initiative Community Energy Facilitator. |
CRD Regional Climate Action Strategy
On April 12, 2017, the Capital Regional District Board approved the Regional Climate Action Strategy (RCAS). The RCAS was developed to align with all levels of governments' climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives and builds on the work done by residents, businesses, First Nations and federal and provincial governments. Annually, progress on the actions will be monitored and reported, followed by a five year review and update to RCAS to ensure the continued advancement of the region’s climate mitigation and adaptation goals. Pinna is pleased to have supported the CRD in the development of this community-focused climate action plan. For more information on RCAS, please visit the CRD's Climate Action webpage. |
BC adopts the Energy Step Code
Today the Province of BC released the new BC Energy Step Code - a voluntary compliance path within the BC Building Code that will help BC achieve its goal for net zero energy ready buildings by 2032. This is the result of an extensive consensus building process. Pinna was fortunate to be involved as facilitators for this broad and committed group of stakeholders, and to support the Province in preparing the policy to accompany this big step for energy-efficient buildings in BC. See more here. |
Climate Projections for Metro Vancouver report released
We are pleased to share the Climate Projections for Metro Vancouver
report, released publicly last week. It is a must read for our region's
for planners, engineers and urbanists as we wrap our heads around how to
build now for a strong future. Thank you to Pacific Climate Impact
Consortium and Metro Vancouver for the opportunity to collaborate on
this project. |
| Attachments:
ClimateProjectionsForMetroVancouver.pdf
Pinna is Hiring!
We are
looking for a talented person to join our team! |
An outcome of our work with Great Bear: Solar panels going up in Klemtu, BC
Very exited to see the solar panels going up on the Klemtu School roof today! Project should be complete by Friday, bringing this Great Bear Rainforest community one step closer to energy independence! Thanks to AANDC EcoEnergy Program, Bullfrog Power, and Hakai Energy Solutions for supporting this project! |
Pinna's Presentation at Renewables in Remote Microgrids - Yellowknife
Pinna was asked to present on the work we do with the Great Bear Initiative at this year's Renewables in Remote Microgrids conference (RiRM Sept 2015). This was a great opportunity for us to learn about other community energy implementation projects happening in remote communities across Canada and Alaska, and connect with leaders in the field. We were happy to receive a positive response from the audience on the community energy facilitation work we have been doing with Coastal First Nations communities over the last 3 years- it seems there is a strong need for facilitators to work on behalf of First Nations communities to accelerate implementation of clean energy projects. A big thank you to @bullfrogpower for supporting our participation. We look forward to more conversations to explore how we can help move the dial forward and reduce remote community reliance on fossil fuels! |
BC Wood Stove Exchange Program Evaluation Released
The BC Ministry of Environment recently released the BC Wood Stove Exchange Program Evaluation Report (link). The report includes a summary of the first seven years of implementing the program (2008 to 2014), a comparison of the program to best practices from other regions, an evaluation of the program based on input from numerous stakeholders across the province, and a set of recommendations to strengthen the program in future years. |
Reporting Progress on Implementing the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy
Port Metro Vancouver, the Port of Seattle, and the Port of Tacoma have developed a collaborative strategy with goals and targets to reduce the impacts of port-related air emissions, with a focus on diesel particulate matter and greenhouse gas emissions. Pinna is pleased to be working with the ports to report their progress after one year of implementing the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy that was finalized at the end of 2013. |
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