An Energy and Emissions Plan was developed in 2012 for Canada’s Capital Region, which includes the City of Ottawa and the City of Gatineau (Quebec). I was surprised to learn that a single plan had been developed to include both cities. Although the cities are located really close to each other (10km between the city hall buildings), there are some pretty significant differences between the cities that would impact the viability of projects. For example, the price of electricity in Quebec is lower than in Ontario, and so building retrofits that might be financially attractive in Gatineau might not make sense in Ottawa.
On another note, I was interested to read that one of the strategies in the plan is to “Integrate land use and transportation systems” and that one of the examples of actions to support this strategy would be to “use future energy consumption as a criterion for evaluating land use and transportation plans.” I think the example action should definitely be factored into the decision-making process for land use and transportation planning in the region. I often wonder to what degree the long term energy implications (supply, generation and distribution) are factored into decision-making at the municipal/regional level, and would be interested to see some sort of analysis for projects like new sub-divisions or light rail transit.
