Gravenhurst building GHG emissions conversions estimated at almost $52 million
Gravenhurst Council were advised that their building GHG emissions conversions will cost almost $52 million, in the January 21, 2025, meeting.
The Town’s GHG emissions inventory assessment conducted by Tatham Engineering, revealed that their 25 corporate buildings, powered by electricity, natural gas, fuel oil and propane produced the highest emissions at 69%.
Fleet accounted for 30% of the Town’s emissions, followed by streetlights at 1%.
Overall, 43% of the Town’s emissions is from natural gas, 36% electricity, 10% diesel, and 6% gas.
An increase in the Town’s population will have an impact on increases in emissions. Tatham projected an increase from 13,042 in 2018 (the baseline year), to 15,831 or 19% by 2030, to 20,833 or 50% by 2050.
Housing units are expected to increase by 25% by 2030 and 50% by 2050.
Town buildings due to the population growth are anticipated to grow by 20% by 2030 and 56% by 2050.
Tatham consultant, Elham Gorouhi, broke down the building costs at $5,075,000 by 2031 and $46,557,000 by 2050, for a total of at almost $52 million.
She said that fleet will cost $5,406,000 by 2030 and $7,324,000 by 2050, for a total of over $12.7 million.
The Climate Mitigation Plan includes both short and long-term retrofit plans, such as converting its building roof tops to solar and heat sources to air heat pumps.
The goal for fleet is to replace light and medium duty and 35% of heavy duty by 2030, and all fleet to zero emissions by 2050 with changes like moving to electric vehicles.
Streetlights will also be converted to LED as they reach their end of life. A plan will be developed based on the life of the equipment and pending funding availability.
Gorouhi said, “As Gravenhurst gradually completes more retrofits energy cost savings become more significant.”
She explained that by implementing the plan the Town can reduce 42% of building GHGs and 45% fleet by 2030, and decarbonize all asserts, reaching zero by 2050.
Councillor, Peter Johnston, expressed the importance of measuring, monitoring, and achieving the targets, and making the progress available to the public. He emphasized that posting the reductions is essential “so the public understands that we’re doing what we’re asking them to do.”
Councillor, Jo Morphy, said, “I’m getting $59 million ask over the next 25 years which is substantial,” and inquired about whether the future carbon tax is included in the projections.
Gorouhi advised that they were included, however, they will have to continue to follow federal government publications.
She said, “By 2030 the carbon price will reach $1.60 per tonnes of carbon dioxide, and after that we assume that the costs will remain constant because there are no published figures for the costs after 2030.” However, government changes will impact future projections.
Mayor, Heidi Lorenz, said, “It’s a lot to think about. When budgeting that’s a whole other thing when you think about how much this is going to cost.”
She added, “It’s one of those things you can’t not do, right, because you know that’s the right thing to do.”
