Whereas climate change is the greatest threat to our municipalities; And whereas the pillars of the Clean BC program include better buildings, incentivizing retrofits and upgrading BCs stock of public housing so residents, many of whom are low income families or seniors, can live in a more energy efficient, healthier, and comfortable home; And whereas the cost of clean energy infrastructure is a major barrier for low and middle income earners, as well as small businesses and municipalities; And whereas Property Assessed Clean Energy PACE legislation has proven to be effective in financing retrofits in other jurisdictions: Therefore be it resolved that the Province of British Columbia work with expert stakeholders with knowledge of Property Assessed Clean Energy PACE best practices, including UBCM and FCM, to study the application of PACE in BC and develop PACE enabling legislation for BC Municipalities.
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing The Ministry supports the pillars of CleanBC including better buildings, incentivizing retrofits and upgrading BCs stock of public housing so residents, many of whom are low income families or seniors, can live in a more energy efficient, healthier, and comfortable home. The experience of other jurisdictions with PACE has been mixed, including some concerning and unintended consequences, like predatory loan practices. The Province is open to further discussions with UBCM about whether PACE, or a different approach, can best deliver on goals. Currently, provincial legislation provides many options for local governments to support and promote a green economy; these include: - municipal grants to individual households to subsidize a portion of the costs of acquiring solar panels. - waivers or reductions of development cost charges when a new development has qualifying energy efficiency components. - partial revitalization tax exemption when property owners install or upgrade energy efficiency improvements. - enhanced public education and communications on energy efficiency. Provincial staff are available to assist local governments with advice on these options to promote a green economy and affordability for low income families and seniors.