On December 11, Tatham Engineering presented a Regional Climate Change Mitigation plan to Huntsville, Ont.’s town council. The plan’s $50 million price tag, however, had some councillors questioning its feasibility.
In December 2020, the District of Muskoka declared a climate emergency. As part of this declaration, the district created a regional group made up of members from each of its municipalities, including Huntsville. The group’s task was to develop strategies that curbed the district’s greenhouse gas emissions.
In fall 2023, the group retained Collingwood-based Tatham Engineering to create climate change mitigation plans for each of the district’s municipalities. The goal was for everyone in the district to be taking similar steps.
The plan Tatham created for Huntsville focuses on bringing the municipality in line with protocols set out by the Partners for Climate Protection, a Canadian organization that helps municipalities reduce their emissions through a milestone framework. As part of this program, Huntsville would be aiming to reduce its emissions to 45 per cent below 2018 levels by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050.
5 factors for a sustainable home or cottage
“The year 2018 was considered as a baseline year because it was the most recent year with information not impacted by the pandemic,” said Elham Gorouhi, Tatham’s manager of decarbonization and net-zero engineering, during the council meeting.
Tatham’s plan revealed that Huntsville’s two highest emissions producers were its fleet of vehicles at 37 per cent, and its buildings at 62 per cent—streetlights contributed an additional one per cent. Specifically, the town’s Aspdin Community Centre contributed the most emissions due to its natural gas consumption.
Gorouhi pointed out that if no actions are taken, the current trajectory would result in Huntsville’s energy costs increasing by 151 per cent by 2050.
To reach the plan’s goals of 45 per cent by 2030 and net-zero by 2050, Gorouhi said Huntsville will have to replace heating and cooling units with air source heat pumps in town buildings, as well as install solar panels on each roof.
Will a heat pump solve your cold cottage woes?
These retrofits would cost the town $8.2 million in the next five years, and a further $34 million between 2031 and 2050.
The town would also be required to replace its current fleet of vehicles with electric vehicles, and install charging stations. This was estimated at costing the town $3.8 million in the next five years, and a further $4.3 million before 2050.
In total, the retrofits and infrastructure changes would cost Huntsville approximately $50.8 million over the next 25 years.
“To be economically feasible, it is very important to reduce emissions gradually,” Gorouhi said. She added that this estimated cost did not include any government grants the municipality could apply for.
Huntsville has already taken several steps to reduce its emissions. This includes replacing its streetlights with LED lights in 2015 and installing solar panels on six town-owned buildings: the Civic Centre, Huntsville Public Library, Madill Yard, Huntsville Fire Hall, Port Sydney Fire Hall, and Port Sydney Community Hall.
7 things to know before installing a solar system
After Tatham’s presentation, council discussed the plan. Several councillors voiced concern over the cost. “We have a very genuine and sincere desire to meet our [greenhouse gas] goals,” Councillor Scott Morrison said. “But it’s on a collision course with another train and that’s the budget realities. Short of getting it 80 per cent funded by grants, it’s going to be a real challenge to meet any of these goals.”
Councillor Cory Clark was skeptical about the proposed technology. “This plan is very ambitious and somewhat unrealistic. For example, converting our heavy truck equipment to EVs makes no sense to me when we’re dealing with cold climate weather conditions,” he said. “The last thing we need to worry about is snowplows and fire equipment that aren’t operational.”
Mayor Nancy Alcock added that perhaps the plan would be more realistic if it focused on a specific project with a well-funded grant.
Council voted to have town staff review the plan and come back with more realistic recommendations and possible next steps.
Related Story Kawartha Lakes introduces curbside collection for organic waste in select areas
Related Story What cottagers need to know about Canada’s plastic problem
Related Story What is mass timber (and should you use it at the cottage)?