A five-year plan to improve energy use in Wellington North buildings should only be a framework for improvements and not carved in stone.
Council, at its July 14 meeting, approved an energy conservation and demand management plan prepared by Burman Energy Consultants Group and sent to council by chief building official Darren Jones.
Councillor Andy Lennox wanted to ensure any projects the township undertakes to upgrade facilities based on the plan would have the desired effects.
Wellington North Power is expected to do the evaluations of some of the work.
“There’s a recognition the plan can change and if we’re not going to get the impact we’ll alter the plan and not spend capital out on it,” Lennox said.
CAO Mike Givens agreed the plan and any work would be monitored.
“It’s self-policing,” Givens said. “Let’s do some pilot projects and see what kind of payback we’re going to get.”
Councillor Dan Yake said any determination of the effect of the work can be done initially as the work moves ahead.
“You have to do one or two (projects) at a time,” Yake said. “It’s a good report and I think it’s wise we support it.”
“There has to be some practical application,” Givens added.
Council supported the plan.
