The Energy Manager carries out activities related to the five focus areas outlined below, following Langara’s participation in an Energy Management Assessment (EMA) sponsored by BC Hydro. The end goal is to develop a long-term strategic energy management plan for the college.
For more information about the program, visit BC Hydro.
Energy Manager Key Priorities
Focus on five key energy management areas include:
- Demonstrated Leadership Commitment
Arrange for an executive-level officer to sign and sponsor an energy-specific policy or directive containing specific quantitative goals and objectives for improving energy efficiency and/or reducing energy costs. Includes: Benchmarking and determining reduction targets for each building at the college that are realistic and in line with the BC Energy plan and the Greenhouse Gas Rreductions Targets Act (GGRTA). - Understanding Performance and Opportunities
Establish the energy consumption and determine the potential energy savings for each major operational area or system by applying a more comprehensive and holistic approach to energy analysis. This includes metering, identifying, evaluating, and implementing cost effective projects related to energy and greenhouse gas reductions as well as considering energy and GHG offset costs over the life of the project. - Resourcing
Develop resource planning activities to ensure access to personnel with sufficient bandwidth to address energy management from a program-level perspective. - Innovation
Solicit ideas to cut energy waste and improve efficiency from staff (including non-facilities), employees, faculty, and students. Includes energy awareness and communication with the college community. - Reporting and Feedback
Establish regular reporting of energy use metrics to key departmental and site personnel.
In addition to these five priorities, the energy manager will carry out tasks related to mandatory GHG reporting required by colleges per the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets Act (GGRTA).
Further Energy Management Information
Energy Conservation
The BC government has set an ambitious target to acquire 50 per cent of BC Hydro's incremental resource needs through conservation by 2020.
Greenhouse Gases
The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets Act (GGRTA) was given Royal
Assent on November 29, 2007 and brought into force on January 1, 2008.
This legislation is a major step forward in the fight against global
warming. It legislates aggressive reduction targets for greenhouse gas
emissions, and the government’s commitment to a carbon-neutral public
sector by 2010. Making these commitments legally binding marks a
turning point in the province’s efforts to confront global warming and
protect the environment for generations to come. Regulations supporting
this act are under development.
The act puts into law British Columbia’s target of reducing
greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by at least 33 per cent below 2007
levels by 2020. It also includes the long-term target of an 80 per cent
reduction below 2007 levels by 2050.
In the interim, realistic and economically viable targets will be
set for 2012 and 2016 by the end of 2008. To ensure public
accountability and transparency, the government is required to make
public a report every two years outlining the progress made towards
reaching the emissions-reduction targets.
The GGRTA requires the public sector to become carbon neutral by
2010 and to make a public report available annually that details action
taken towards carbon neutrality. The provincial government (including
individual ministries and agencies), schools, colleges, universities,
health authorities and Crown corporations are all included in this
commitment.
