The Village is being recognized at the provincial level once again for its innovation. At the last council meeting held November 13, Trish Dehnel from the Community Energy Association came to award Nakusp with the 2012 Climate and Energy Action Award for Corporate Operations.
The Village was selected out of a running of seven candidates; Nakusp won out over Delta, Golden, Maple Ridge, Nanaimo (city and regional district), and Sayward with their “Path to Reduced GHG [greenhouse gas] Emissions and Energy Consumption.”
Dehnel said there were three main reasons that Nakusp had been selected for the award. First was the implementation of renewable energy projects including micro hydro, solar and waste heat projects. The award also recognizes Nakusp’s persistent approach to acquiring funding and achieving results with few local resources. The CEA also identified the Village as a source of inspiration for other small communities who are looking to reduce costs as well as improve their energy efficiency.
Some of the measures the Village has undertaken include implementing energy-efficient retrofit projects, installing solar panels, creating efficient garbage pick up and snow plowing routes to decrease fuel consumption, and harnessing the heat from the water source to warm the Nakusp Hot Springs’ floors.
Saving energy has meant saving money as well, with $44,000 per year calculated to have been saved with the improvements.
Dehnel added her praise as well: “I am especially proud that Nakusp, from my Central Kootenay project representation area, is a shining star example from the Carbon Neutrals Kootenay Project.”