Energy policies framework

Municipalities both influence and are impacted by energy. That’s why in 2012 AUMA developed an Energy Policy Framework to guide the development of municipal energy policies.

The 2012 Municipal Energy Policies focused on abandoned energy infrastructure and energy’s impact on transportation and utility corridors.

 The 2013 Municipal Energy Policies focused on municipal energy efficiency and sustainability and preparing for the Canadian Energy Strategy.

AUMA is now working on advocacy and implementation of the policies.

Why do we need municipal energy policies?

Municipalities are:

  • Significant consumers of energy
  • Integral to the successful transportation of energy
  • Often utility owners that provide services to our residents
  • Accountable for social, health, environmental, economic development impacts associated with energy sector development.
  • Providers of energy related infrastructure 

Municipalities are making a difference:

The Municipal Climate Control Action Centre has benchmarked the energy intensity of over 330 municipal buildings—nearly 800,000 m2 of floor space. If the top half of that group improved their energy efficiency to the average, those municipalities would save nearly $9 Million in operating costs and reduce 62,000 Tonnes of GHGs each year. This would result in significant progress towards achieving the provincial government’s Climate Action Plan goal.

For example, there are approximately 466,000 streetlight fixtures on Alberta streets and highways. Converting these fixtures to more efficient technology could create significant energy savings, with a potential reduction of GHG emissions of nearly 1,101,162 tonnes over 10 years.

For more information on impact by the numbers, click here 

Where can I find more information?

AUMA has developed a framework of references that provide background information to support this framework. We have also assembled other helpful links below:

Municipal Climate Control Action Centre

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