The West Kootenay EcoSociety is hosting event for Creston locals to learn about about renewable energy.
Executive Director Montana Burgess will discuss the steps required to achieve 100% renewable energy no later than 2050. This includes heating and cooling, transportation and waste management. She hopes the Town of Creston will commit to the initiative.
“Already there’s been five local governments across the West Kootenays, Rossland, New Denver, Spokane, Nelson and the regional District of Central Kootenay of which Creston is a part of, that have signed on to say yes to clean energy. Yes to healthy communities and green jobs, and we’re hoping Creston will be next community to join.”
She says Creston is a prime candidate for solar energy because of the Valley’s high sunshine rate. The region also has other means to make the transition to renewable energy possible.
“To get there in the whole region, we to keep the dams we already have. We need to bring in more solar, we need to work with biomass, use that for heating as well as electricity generation. As well as look at renewable natural gas such as capturing it from landfills or composting sites.”
According to Burgess, the first step is to make sure homes and businesses are well insulated so that energy isn’t simply wasted.
“With the real threat of wildfires and flooding, residents want to make sure they are working towards a healthier and safer future,” says Burgess. “Over 9,000 people and 70 local businesses have already signed on to the clean energy transition.”
To learn more, go to the the free event on May 6 starting at 6:00 pm at Casey’s Community House.