Elliot Lake council has put in gear an application that could see the city cruise into a program to reduce its carbon emissions.
In a 4-3 vote, council approved sending in the city’s application for some $1.4 million under the provincial government’s Municipal GHG Challenge Fund. The fund is a new program aimed at helping municipalities take steps to reduce the impacts on climate change.
In the city’s application, the goal is to convert a number of its vehicles from gas or diesel to compressed natural gas. The conversion would involve 48 vehicles. The plan also calls on the construction a fuelling station.
The city’s economic development coordinator, Ashten Vlahovich, told council the conversion could save the community about $100,000 in fuel costs yearly.
Council has already indicated it is willing to spend $78,500 as its contribution to the total project. So far it has spent $10,000 to prepare the application for the province.
Several councillors at Monday evening’s council meeting said they were concerned that by committing the remaining $68,500 they would be agreeing to moving ahead with the project. Concern was also raised about the short timeframe councillors were given to consider all aspects of the program.
“The wording in this motion . . . we’re committing to spending $78,000 to get $1.5 million,” Councillor Chris Patrie said. “I have no problem putting in the application today and seeing the information.”
“What you’re talking about is leveraging over one million dollars for $78,000 . . . I don’t see why you have a problem,” Councillor Ed Pearce responded.
Councillor Tammy VanRoon was also concerned that putting in the application would commit council to the program.
She said, based on her own calculations, the city could see spending about $200,000 annually in wages for new employees it would have to hire as part of the clean air project.
“Councillor Connie Nykyforak said the application was initially brought to council from an outside consultant.
“It’s being driven from outside,” she said of the application process.
The councillor was also concerned the application process did not contain any reports from city staff.
Councillor Norman Mann was also concerned about the $68,000.
However, consultant Mark Robinson, said the $68,500 is part of a requirement to put the application through. If the city is unsuccessful in getting provincial funding it is not committed to spending money on further studies.
Councillors, VanRoon, Patrie and Nykyforak opposed the motion to move ahead with the application. Mayor Dan Marchisella cast the deciding vote in favor after councillors Pearce, Luc Cyr and Mann voted in favour.
A decision on the grant application is expected in February.