Huntsville concerned about the feasibility of implementing the Climate Change Mitigation Plan
Huntsville Council expressed concern about the feasibility of implementing the Corporate Climate Change Adaptation Plan (CCCMP), in the February 24, 2025, meeting.
Last December the Town received the CCCMP, developed by consultant Tatham Engineering, which included recommendations for reducing GHG emissions.
Tatham’s recommendations included retrofits, solar rooftop panels, replacing the furnace with SPHP backup heating coils, and using LED lights for the buildings, and replacing fleet with electric or zero emission vehicles, with an estimated total cost at $42,642,000 for buildings, and $4,361,000 for fleet.
According to the staff report, “These pathways are meant to achieve net-zero or near net-zero reductions in GHG emissions by the Town by 2050.”
Staff were directed to evaluate the plan and return to Council with recommendations for next steps.
In their report they recommend that the plan “be endorsed in principle and be consulted for consideration in capital budgeting and asset renewal.”
Project Coordinator, Trevor Donald, indicated that other municipalities are committed to climate targets, “but we also know that municipalities are getting nervous about how this will play out.” He said they’re worried about the feasibility and costs of the plan. He added, “It looked like a lot of money up front with little benefit.”
He continued that in addition to costs municipal concerns include locally generated energy, hydro, geothermal, safety of rooftop solar and battery storage, and changing to electric heavy-duty vehicles.
He said, “It’s an ambitious pathway to net zero. Plans need to be developed and mitigation strategies, and explorations of opportunities for costs…can guide pathways through scaling up mitigation to address climate change.” He added, “Each municipal solution will be unique.”
Mayor, Nancy Alcock, summarized her interpretation of the plan. She said, “There’s a lot that we could do, and we need to be careful about it, and it will take time, and we need to work collaboratively with our sister municipalities. And certainly, the District has a huge lead on this but there are always ways that we need to continue to find funding opportunities, and they exist.”
Donald added that Enbridge will be launching new programs for both municipalities and residents, and other funding opportunities such as grants will become available as well.
Councillor, Scott Morrison, said, “It seems like the real answer is electrification, according to the report, compared to Quebec. They’re 99% wind and solar and we’re not there.”
He also mentioned that electrification “will be an impact to the taxpayer.”
Councillor, Cory Clarke, expressed concerns about the plan, advising that he won’t be voting in favour of it. He said, “I want Huntsville environmentally protected, but I’m concerned about net zero.”
He added, “I think we have to ask ourselves, ‘What is feasible? What is reasonable?’ Costs will be paid by the taxpayers through the capital budget or climate budget… How can these costs be fairly implemented when our residents are already really struggling to pay property tax bills?
Alcock suggested that the plan can be feasible upon access to provincial and federal funding. She added that a realistic target is half net zero, and emphasized the importance of having planning, goals and targets in place.
Councillor, Jason FitzGerald, said he doesn’t see it being a burden to taxpayers. He suggested, “It’s a guide to help us through this process,” and that they aren’t “tied to anything financially.”
He added that if they aim for half of net zero, they’ll reach a quarter. He said, “Aim high and let’s see what we can do,” and suggested they can discuss it further at budget time.
