Resource Consumption: Energy
Energy consumption is directly linked to impacts on our changing climate and quality of our air.
In the Severn Sound watershed:
- Municipalities do not keep data on energy consumption levels.
- Municipal actions to reduce energy consumption are limited. Midland and Penetanguishene have given the issue the greatest attention through an ongoing program to replace inefficient incandescent and mercury vapour street lighting with high pressure sodium/LED lighting. The Town of Penetanguishene has embarked on a pilot project to replace mercury vapour street lamps with Light Emitting Diode (LED) street lamps which significantly reduce energy costs while maintaining lighting. The Town of Midland has also initiated a program to replace incandescent traffic signals with Light Emitting Diode (LED) signals for reduced energy conservation and maintenance.
- Power utilities have their own energy conservation programs in place.
Local Energy Initiatives
- The Simcoe Huronia Association for Renewable Energy (S.H.A.R.E.), a local non-profit formed in 2005, is working towards a solar co-operative model to develop community-owned renewable power. For more information, see: http://www.sharehuronia.ca/