The last time the Town of Banff measured the greenhouse gases created by municipal facilities and operations was in 1998 and that is something at least one councillor would like to see updated.
Councillor Chip Olver made a finance committee motion to put $20,000 into the operating budget for the project. While the motion failed to garner support, council did vote to have administration return with a report on the issue.
“It has been a significant amount of time since we looked at what our greenhouse gas emissions are,” Olver said. “The last report we had on this topic … was in 2000, based on 1998 numbers.”
Environmental services coordinator Chad Townsend said the municipality has added services, facilities and vehicles since that time. Banff has a reserve account for franchise fees that is used to fund environmentally sustainable projects like solar power initiatives. Olver said the funds could come from that account and therefore not affect taxes.
“I understand the need for feedback,” said Coun. Stavros Karlos. “But I would prefer to spend $20,000 on one of the good ideas that have come forward from various departments.”
