Page 23 - Green Builder Jan-Feb 2022 Issue

Energy goal. Electric vehicles (EVs) are in Parry Sound’s future. As of late 2021, the city had 22 EV charging stations, 12 of which are Level 3, or
fast-charging, according to chargehub.com. CREDIT: CANADIAN ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION

37% NUMBER OF UNESCO BIOSPHERE

POPULATION RESERVES IN CANADA
6,408 OF CO2 EMISSIONS FROM 13

REGION’S BOATS

infrastructure and technology. “We’re sort of the commerce approach. “We’re one of a bunch of small municipalities that
hub for the region.” Tourists cascade into surrounding areas have come together under the Integrated Community Energy
seasonally to enjoy the lakes, camping, hiking and so on, but and Climate Action Plans (ICECAP), a partnership with First
they come and go from Parry Sound when they need sup- Nations,” he says. “We all put money into the Georgian Bay Bio-
plies, food or an outing. sphere. I think our contributions were $14,500, and that gives
Despite this rapid influx and exodus, this small town is us a full profile.”
making rapid strides toward decarbonization by moderniz- With that profile, the town can benchmark its progress
ing its grid, installing solar arrays, adding battery storage to toward various environmental goals. “We’ve just completed
town buildings, putting in EV charging stations and install- benchmark one,” Pengra notes, “and are now working on
ing smart hot water controls. The city has also had a major adaptation, benchmark two. We’re also part of a UNESCO
financial boost: a $2.9 million federal government grant, Biosphere Reserve. That’s been beneficial in many ways too.”
part of the Smart, Proactive, Enabled, Energy Distribution – It’s no coincidence that these benchmarks mirror some
Intelligently, Efficiently and Responsive (SPEEDIER)—smart of the ancient stewardship principles of the First Nations
grid project. The town is on track to become one of Canada’s people in the region.
first net-zero communities. “They base their decision making on planning for seven gen-
“The net zero ambition comes straight from the mayor,” erations,” Pengra says. “I think we can learn a lot from that.”
Pengra adds, “and that makes a big difference.”
Key to that goal, Pengra adds, is a collaborative, localized Learn more about Parry Sound at its website.

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