New Westminster considers using
more renewable energy

> Councillor proposes 100 per cent renewable energy by 2050

Jake Wray
News Editor

 

N“™ Westminster may begin exploring
a phase-out of non-renewable
energy in the city by 2050, after a

motion to do so passed first reading at

a city council meeting on August 28.

The motion, proposed by Councillor
Chuck Puchmayr, states: “Therefore
be it resolved; that the city of New
Westminster investigate setting a target
of becoming 100 per cent dependent
on renewable energy by 2050 and
establish clear measurable targets
toward achieving this goal.” Several
other council members voiced support
for the motion, which must pass
second and third readings at a future
council meeting before taking effect.

Puchmayr said at the meeting
that he was inspired to propose the
motion after attending a conference
about renewable energy.

“The motion came out of a
conference, Renewable Cities conference,
that I attended and listened to some very
interesting speakers from all over the
world and some communities and cities
that are already years ahead of us with
regards to [renewable energy],” he said.

Puchmayr said he initially had
reservations about transitioning to
renewable energy but he became
convinced of the benefits.

“At one time, I had some concerns
with regards to us implementing this,”
he said. “But the more I looked into it

[I] saw the opportunities that exist by

us creating our own energy, and even

residents creating their own energy, and

actually having surpluses of energy that

the city could actually sell to other users.”
Councillor Patrick Johnstone,

who voted in favour of first reading

of the motion, said he supports

the motion in concept but he has

some logistical concerns and would

like to hear more information.
“Aspirationally I am in support

of the idea, of the motion, and of the

community taking an aggressive approach

toward renewable energy,” he said.

“Before we actually set the goal and say
weve going to hit it, we need to havea
better discussion about the reality of
what it means for operations in the city.”

Mayor Jonathan Coté said in
the meeting that he thinks the
motion is conceptually aligned with
other initiatives the City of New
Westminster has undertaken.

“This motion definitely connects to
the values and the work that the City of
New Westminster has done regarding
environmental sustainability and our
efforts to fight climate change,” he said. “I
think there’s no doubt we need a lot more

 

information as a decision-making body
as to the actual implications and how we
would go about achieving this target, but
I think this motion is definitely a first
step in initiating that discussion, and I
think, as we learn more, it certainly could
become a large part of the city’s strategic
plan and priorities we’re working on.”
The City of Vancouver has already
implemented similar targets, pledging
to transition to 100 per cent renewable
energy by 2050, as well as to cut
greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per
cent of the 2007 emission levels.

Foundation announces new executives

> Going forward with new leadership

Colten Kamlade
Staff Reporter

 

he Douglas College
Foundation announced new
executives on August 2.

This year’s executive team includes
Paul Holden, Nick Cheng, Wendy Lindvik,
Neal Nicholson, Darlene Hyde, and
executive director Leanne Poon. Formed
in 1985, the foundation gives aid to
students through bursaries, scholarships,
and awards, all through the generosity
of their donors. The upcoming Athletic
Scholarship Breakfast is just one of the
many events that they host to help raise
funds for students. Another annual event
is DO Business on the Green, which gives
participants an opportunity to network
while testing their skills on the golf course.

Poon said that over the next
year the Douglas College Foundation
means to continue their work of
“[Securing] philanthropic support
to recognize academic achievement,
community involvement and support
students who have financial need.”

One way in which they intend
to do this is through their match
program, according to Poon.

“This is a tremendous way to be

able to increase funding available for
students and increase the number of
students who will benefit,” she said. “The
match program will match up to $1,500
for gifts to any annual or endowed fund
until the matching funds are depleted. A
$1,000 donation—$83.33 per month—will
provide students with $2,500 in funding!”

Poon said the foundation also means
to focus on “connecting with donors and
volunteers to identify ways in which they
would like to be connected or engaged in
ways that are most meaningful to them.”

Essentially, the foundation aims
be more involved with their donors,
according to Poon, whether through
“stories, events, endowment or fund
updates and the opportunity to have
personalized communication.”

The aim is to “demonstrate that our
donors and friends have made the right
choice in supporting Douglas College, the
Foundation and our students,” said Poon.

The foundation assists up to 2,000
students annually, which is about 14 per
cent of all students who attend Douglas
College. Without the foundation’s
support, many Douglas College alumni
may have never achieved their goals.

The foundation will continue to support
students throughout the coming year.

 

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