Community Energy Planning Methodology

Communities across Canada face many energy-related challenges including rising energy prices, air quality problems, and infrastructure in need of repair or replacement. By engaging in long term strategic energy planning, communities can solve these problems in a manner that is cost-effective and sustainable for residents and the environment.

The Community Energy Planning Methodology is a guide that helps communities understand and evaluate land use, infrastructure, energy systems, building and site design, and waste management decisions in the context of a sustainable energy future. Municipal officials and city planners, consultants and utilities, community groups and students of urban planning, geography, engineering and public administration will find the methodology to be an excellent reference and practical how-to guide for developing a community energy plan.

The methodology can be used in villages, towns, cities, regional districts or any other area that considers itself a community. It is useful in such decision-making processes as:

• The creation of a long term strategic energy plan
• Land use and infrastructure planning
• Municipal building retrofits
• Waste management
• Maintenance and replacement of equipment
• Public energy efficiency awareness campaigns

By implementing the methodology, communities can attain air quality and climate change objectives, achieve greater energy efficiency, transition to renewable energy technologies and choose technological solutions that are appropriate and adaptable. Co-benefits of community energy planning can include improved economic resilience, better public health, stronger families and safe communities.

The Community Energy Planning Methodology has been designed to bring stakeholders into a collective planning process and to walk planning advisory bodies through the development of a community energy plan. Making informed energy related decisions is an important step in moving a community toward sustainability.

To learn more about CETC's Community Energy Planning Methodology, visit www.sbc.nrcan.gc.ca or contact Ken Church kchurch@nrcan.gc.ca; (613) 947-8952) or Jessica Webster Jessica.Webster@nrcan.gc.ca; (613) 992- 9532) of the Community Energy Planning Group.