Councillors debate how to cut gas

Gas tax, no drive-thrus ideas for reducing GHG

People should be urged to do their part in fighting climate change by altering some everyday behaviours, Kelowna city councillors say.

Taking the bus, turning down the thermostat, buying more fuel-efficient vehicles and recycling more were suggested Monday as important environmentally friendly measures people can undertake.

“Each individual … can take actions that will change the future,” Coun. Gail Given said.

For example, she said, neighbours could challenge one another to see who can put out the least garbage for pick-up. That would help reduce the amount of trash that ends up at the dump where its processing creates greenhouse gases, she suggested.

Staff presented a range of ideas for reducing greenhouse gases that emanate from Kelowna. The goal is to cut emissions four per cent from 2007 levels by 2023.

“Four per cent may not seem like much, but it actually corresponds to a 28 per cent per capita reduction in greenhouse gas emission when you consider population growth,” said Tracy Guidi, a sustainability co-ordinator for the city.

Possible strategies to reduce GHG emissions include adopting more stringent requirements for energy efficiencies in new construction, considering a new gasoline tax to fund transit expansion, banning new drive-thrus, introducing a bylaw to prevent vehicle idling, raising parkade rates to discourage driving and focusing more development in urban areas rather than the city’s fringes.

“For me, a lot of this all boils down to good urban planning,” said Mayor Colin Basran.

Coun. Luke Stack suggested the city take the lead in encouraging residents to consider electric vehicles when making their next car or truck purchase. More than half of Kelowna’s total GHG emissions come from vehicles, Stack noted.

“There are huge gains if we can get people to move into more efficient transpiration. hybrids, and plug-in electric vehicles,” Stack said.

Coun. Maxine DeHart, who works at a hotel with a drive-thru liquor store, wondered what effort the city would make to consult with the many businesses, such as fast-food restaurants and banks, that have such a convenience for drivers.

Staff said any move to ban future drivethrus would not happen until sometime next year, and would involve extensive public consultation.

Coun. Ryan Donn said the city should restrict tree-cutting on private property to preserve the so-called urban canopy.

All the city’s ideas for reducing GHG levels will be presented at public information sessions in January.