LIVESMART BC GREEN CITIES AWARD WINNERS

The following communities were awarded LiveSmart BC Green Cities Awards, in part for some of the following initiatives:

· Regional District - Capital Regional District ($50,000 award)

o Community Energy Plan and Climate Change Corporate Action Plan, related is the Hartland Landfill gas collection and utilization energy system; comprehensive water conservation program which has achieved good results in use reduction; protection/purchased surrounding park and forest land; good regional trail system and efforts to promote physical activity.

· Population 0-1,499 - Taylor ($25,000 award)

o Energy efficiency retrofits at municipal buildings (including solar heating of water treatment building); 15,000 tree seedlings to be planted, water metering for commercial connections; participating in “measuring up” program and offering of free snow plowing to seniors in winter.

· Population 1,500-4,999 - Grand Forks ($25,000 award)

o Heat harvesting and energy conservation technologies at municipal building (e.g. pool, arena, curling rink, city hall); anti-idling bylaw; heat exchange system at a sewage lift station being used to heat the park bathrooms and bandshell stage; implemented a water metering program and achieving water use goals; have a water conservation plan with numerous strategies and measures in place.

· Population 5000-9999 - Smithers ($25,000 award)

o Established a Community Energy Plan; are active in a number of accessibility, physical activity and seniors’ projects including Measuring Up the North, connection of trails, activity programs for seniors, provided property to an assisted living society for their facility.

· Population 10,000-24,999 - Dawson Creek ($50,000)

o Addition of solar hot water systems in RCMP building, airport, public works yard and Sudeten Hall; completed green buildings policy as well as Phase 2 and 3 of their sustainability planning project and community energy plan; participant in Measuring up the North and have undertaken improvements for accessibility on their facilities; open indoor walking track at the multiplex for use during cold winter months; constructing a trail network through the city.

· Population 25,000-99,000 - Prince George ($100,000 award)

o GHG reduction efforts, including planning work; installation of micro-turbines at the wastewater treatment plant to turn digester gas into energy; anti-idling campaign and an anti-idling ambassador; urban forest program including Forest Tree Fest; beginning a Smart Growth on the Ground project in downtown; water conservation program including volunteer metering; participates in Measuring up the North; emphasis on physical activity including 85 km of trail networks.

· Population 100,000 + - Surrey ($100,000 award)

o Large urban forestry program, including park protection and tree planting; recent high density developments located on transportation nodes near shopping/amenities, part of integrated plans; water metering, including voluntary residential metering program and conservation program; number of physical activity options including large trail network; energy retrofits; numerous seniors/disability programs including accessibility upgrades, affordable housing funds/grants, recreation/activity programs and discounts, and seniors facilities.

· Partnership Award - two winners, split award, $50,000 each

o City of Victoria/Dockside Green Limited - including participatory process with community; triple bottom line RFP; dedicated city staff on this project; sharing of risk/responsibility for land remediation; annual sustainability reporting requirement; brownfield/infill redevelopment; development of biomass gasification system for heat and hot water; creation of urban ecology/hydrology features onsite; reuse of wastewater for toilet flushing

o District of Sechelt/Sunshine Coast Association for Community Living - housing agreement in exchange for higher density. This guaranteed four units for people with developmental disabilities and seven for first home buyers on limited income; has a car share coop in order to relax parking requirements; District provided financial support/incentives to development; project has green features like permeable surfaces, rain water harvesting, bike/scooter parking/charging, modular construction and efficient use of materials, centrally located infill development

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Media contact:	Bridgitte Anderson Press Secretary Office of the Premier 604 307-7177	Marc Black Ministry of Community Development 250 387-4089

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