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The AMO Federal Gas Tax Project Award honours
municipalities that have demonstrated excellence in the use of Federal
Gas Tax Funds (GTF). The Award's objective is to showcase infrastructure
projects that exemplify the GTF's environmental objectives and
demonstrate long term planning for environmental and community
sustainability.
Award submissions are typically accepted starting in February of each
year. Please look in the News section
for updates on timelines, the official application process and
submission guidelines.
2010
Winner – >100,000 population
– City of Hamilton’s City Hall Renovations
Originally constructed in 1960, Hamilton City Hall was in need
of comprehensive renovations to meet current building code and
accessibility requirements. Using $30.7 million from the Federal Gas Tax
Fund, the City incorporated a number of new energy saving features into
their renovations, including: a 4000 square foot green roof, efficient
lighting and controls, improved insulation, new windows and new
cladding.
One of the first Federal Gas Tax projects to
incorporate an argon gas curtain wall into its design, the building
provides exceptional insulation and takes advantage of natural sunlight
to reduce heating costs. In addition, heating and cooling
requirements are now supplied by connections to existing district energy
systems located in Downtown Hamilton.
As a result, the renovations to this heritage
building are expected to reduce energy consumption by 35%, which
represents an estimated savings of $233,000 per year. In addition, the
renovations are expected to reduce water use by 10-15% and Greenhouse
Gas emissions by 50%. By incorporating a number of energy-efficient
technologies in a heritage building, the City of Hamilton is
demonstrating the ability of the Gas Tax Fund to improve the local
cultural and environmental sustainability of Ontario’s
municipalities.
Federal gas tax funds applied to the
project: $30.7 million
Total project cost: $74 million
For more information, see the awards news release and visit the City
of Hamilton’s City Hall project website.
Winner – <25,000 population – Town of
Collingwood’s Collingwood Public Library and Municipal Offices
Building
Officially opened in May 2010, the new Collingwood Public Library and
Municipal Offices Building demonstrates the Town’s commitment to
energy conservation, the environment, and local sustainability.
Investing over $780,000 from the Gas Tax Fund, the Town incorporated
many state-of-the-art technologies that will help make this the first
LEED Gold certified library in Ontario.
Features include a green roof with a water cistern, demand controlled
ventilation, a building automation system, and ground source heat pumps.
The project also includes a computerized touch screen that will allow
residents and visitors to learn about these green initiatives and
promote the building as a green education centre. In total, the building
will use 50% less water than a conventional building and its operations
are expected to result in cost savings of 67%.
Beyond the environmental and financial benefits, the library will
enhance local cultural and social sustainability. Built in the downtown
Heritage District to the highest standards, the new building has
revitalized a town node that supports local art, culture and nearby
businesses. This ‘community living room’ is expected to meet
the needs of a growing and diverse community while promoting local
sustainability for many years to come.
Federal gas tax funds applied to the project: $781,736
Total project cost: $7.8 million
For more information, see the awards news release and the Town of Collingwood’s Library project
website.
2009
- Winner – >100,000 population
– Town of Markham’s District Energy Project
Downtown Markham, Markham’s new vibrant mixed-use town
centre, has incorporated its own district energy system that was planned
and is being constructed at the same time as the community itself. This
greenfield development began in 2000 and is scheduled to be completed in
2028. Designed to produce energy sustainably, the technology includes
high efficiency production equipment, thermal storage and cogeneration
– the simultaneous production of heat and power from one primary
fuel.
Property owners in Markham Centre enjoy a secure, efficient and
environmentally friendly source of heating and cooling that will
function during a widespread power failure. To date, the project has
connected 100% of all new buildings constructed in Markham Centre. Still
in development, Markham Centre will ultimately be home to 25,000 new
residents, 17,000 employees, and will combine 25 million square feet of
mixed use development. When completed, the system is forecast to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50%. Federal gas tax funds
applied to the project: $4.28 million.
For more information, visit Markham District
Energy and Markham
Centre.
Winner –
>25,000 population – Town of the Blue Mountains’ Solar
Lighting System Signage Project
Installed in June 2007, the Town of Thornbury sign now incorporates a
solar powered lighting system. It is estimated that the project will
offset 124.8 kg of CO2 emissions annually that would have been emitted
if the lighting was powered using conventional electricity from the
grid. The town will also see annual cost savings of $1300. Beyond these
savings, the project serves as a practical example that highlights the
benefits of solar energy, community conservation, and environmental
stewardship to every Town resident and visitor. Federal gas tax
funds applied to the project: $7000
For more information, visit the Town of The Blue
Mountains.
Winner – Capacity
Building – County of Frontenac’s Integrated Community
Sustainability Plan (ICSP)
Initiated in 2007, the County of Frontenac ICSP is a community planning
exercise designed to address the region’s environmental, economic,
social and cultural sustainability. As a result of eight stakeholder
meetings, 15 taskforce meetings, and using various media sources to
gather public feedback, the County identified an unpredicted level of
public support for sustainability and a willingness to employ public
resources to achieve it. This multifaceted and integrated community
outreach program was supplemented by extensive municipal collaboration
between the County and its four municipalities which resulted in
increased local capacity. The County was able to use this information to
identify concrete steps that will help to achieve a sustainable future
for its 25,000 residents. Federal gas tax funds applied to the
project to date: $65,700
For more information, visit the County of
Frontenac’s ICSP website.
Honourable Mention –
Halton Region’s GreenCart Program
In support of reaching its goal of diverting 60% of residential
waste by 2010, Halton Region used its gas tax funding to implement a
source separated organics program in 2008. In addition to physical
investments such as greencarts and kitchen catchers, the strategy
included a comprehensive partnerships and communications component to
reach out to, educate and inspire its residents. Included in the
strategy was a rollout of information packages, door to door canvassing,
newsletters, open houses, new websites and a kids’ contest to name
the program mascots. Partnerships with local school boards have been
designed not only to increase waste diversion in the region’s 200
schools, but to integrate with the curriculum, encourage learning
outside of the classroom, and to establish a greater sense of community.
Over 140,000 residents now have access to curb-side organic waste
collection thanks to the Region’s gas tax investment.
Federal gas tax funds applied to the project: $3.42 million.
For more information, visit Halton Region’s GreenCart
website.
2008
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