Five new ways the city plans to make Kamloops more sustainable | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Five new ways the city plans to make Kamloops more sustainable

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KAMLOOPS - From new bicycle racks to a new ice machine, Kamloops city council has approved strategies to make the community more sustainable.

For less than $175,000 the city is pursuing five new ways to become more sustainable, after council gave the go ahead in yesterday’s, Jan. 25 meeting.

The five projects range in public impact and cost.

The biggest price tag will be for a new REALice system at the McArthur Island sports centre. A REALice system is currently in place at the Brock Arena, installed last summer. The system costs over $75,000 to install, but will reduce energy costs and green house gas emissions.

An idling reduction pilot program was also approved for just more than $9,000 to help reduce city vehicle idling and includes installing solar panels on six vehicles.

Between the idling program and new ice machine there’d be a reduction of almost 75 tonnes of CO2. The average car emits 4.75 tonnes of CO2 a year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

More likely to be noticed is the purchase of two bicycle racks for almost $17,000. The plan is to use car parking spots for the racks, which have room for 10 bikes to be locked up. The goal is increased awareness of cycling in the city.

A feasibility study for $55,000 is also being funded to look at generating electricity from the steep sanitary flows. Essentially, sewage rolls down hill, and that could help generate electricity. According to a city staff report, one location in the city’s southwest neighbourhoods could generate 325 megawatt hours in a year. Ft. St. John has a similar project already flowing.

Perhaps the simplest project will be turning to electronic funds transfers for paying the city’s bills. Council approved $15,000 to organize the system and move from paper banking.

The money come from a grant program called Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program the provincial government operates.


To contact a reporter for this story, email Brendan Kergin or call 250-819-6089 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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