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Local Energy
1. Further to drawing hydro power from Spencer’s Creek:
I imagine it was already in the original idea, but the electricity
generated can be sold back to the grid at a substantial premium
rate (I believe $0.42/kWh rings a bell; this requires a long-term
commitment at the ‘sign-on’ rate and indicates that
OPG knows where pricing is going). If the project could be
done and controlled by DO-iT in co-operation with HCA (the
watershed stewards I believe) the revenues could then of course
be used to fund other DO-iT initiatives. I think there are
firms that can build and manage these micro generators. Siemans
has a division doing this and there is coincidently one of
their micro-generator contractors living in Dundas; I can
locate his contact info if needed.
2. Green Innovation Dundas: I think something like
this was suggested at the presentation but here is perhaps
a fuller version:
- Vision and position Dundas as a small scale niche centre
of green expertise, innovation, technology and application,
i.e.:
- Identify current businesses that are already working with
some form of sustainable principles in at least a part of
their activities, i.e. local builders who have already done
a green home or renno; designers/architects with interest
and skills; natural landscapers; environmental or related
writers, researchers, columnists, bloggers; even steel fabricators
who may have fashioned brackets and structures for mounting
solar, wind, photovoltaic equipment; installers of ICF foundations;
specialty insulating companies; plumbers and HVAC tradespeople
that have experience with radiant heating, geo-thermal, dual
grey-water systems, rainwater capture, cistern applications
etc. Include and showcase homeowners who have done projects
on their own initiative.
- Consolidate these human and skill resources into a networked
community resource/reference/website.
- Use this existing base of expertise to seek out and attract
an ‘anchor’ business of a smaller/medium size (not
so big as to dominate the community agenda) that is at least
partially technology/expertise oriented so as to aim at developing
more of a knowledge based business model.
- Partner and/or draw on McMaster and the Innovation Park
for contacts, direction, mentoring and perhaps even more tangible
resources.
- Set up a sustainable home and business tour something like
The Secret Gardens Tour or the St. James House Tour to promote
and showcase working examples of sustainable ideas and to
capitalize on the enthusiasm of the owners/designers.
- Set up a small resource centre of materials, library, websites
and local references to assist in residents building knowledge
and developing their plans and ideas. Perhaps someone professionally
skilled could be arranged to guide their planning and/or review/critique
their plans either pro-bono or for some modest fee.
3. Further to ‘Bike Friendly Dundas’: Create
a really usable main bike path corridor/artery along the length
of Spencer Creek starting from around Head Street out to a
McMaster connection (an informal route is mostly already there)
with a ‘spur’ extending out to capture the Governor’s
Road suburban pocket (a big population pool) as well as numerous
side ‘spurs’ off the main artery to service business
and community locations. Perhaps a ‘feed’ could
be connected to the rail trail near Ogilvie St/Governor’s
Rd as the informal Hamilton extension of the rail trail can
take a rider easily to beyond Locke St (via CN rail yard at
Chedoke). It would also facilitate cycle-shopping if easy,
safe locking mechanisms were available (I have had 3 locked
bikes stolen and will now no longer leave my bike unattended
and thus generally can’t shop by cycling; sometimes I
take my bike into the store.)
4. Emergency ‘Shock’ Planning: create survival/emergency
guides for local households that realistically but optimistically
outline potential scenarios of short, medium and long duration
and different seasons. That is, say, for a 2 day power outage
in winter provide:
- a description of what one may expect, what to be aware
of, key areas of concern, panic control, what to do in particular
emergencies (health, crime, fire, public unrest etc);
- a list of materials and items to have on hand, how to store
them, how to keep them up to date etc;
- how to set up shelter; how to build a latrine; how to set
up one’s home for indoor camping, including health hazards;
- what is needed to protect your home systems from freezing
damage;
- a list of public resources that may be available (radio
stations, telephone #’s, clinics, community emergency
centres and shelters etc);
- how to help others; how to assist public services;
- strategies for planning within extended families and/or
neighbours.
5. “Know your nearest 10 neighbours” campaign:
promote community resilience and support by encouraging people
to deliberately introduce themselves to their surrounding
neighbours (front and street sides but also rear adjacent
neighbours that would front to a different street), get phone
#’s, names, names of children, e-mail and a little bit
about (if willing.) Perhaps publish a little document with
a name and contact list template; when completed people could
stick it to the fridge. In a true, socially endangering emergency
these people will be our first and greatest sources of support,
perhaps for an extended time. (See above.)
6. Further to the Town barter system: I think this
may already exist in the area but perhaps it could be simplified,
de-commercialized, localized and tied in to the ‘new’
farmer’s market somehow. A small simple barter system
that is already in place and working in good times would be
an invaluable resource in socially de-stabilized ‘shock’
times (see above.) Probably the local currency idea would
be tied to this.
7. Local Wells: Everyone used to have their own well.
Figure out the red-tape and permits required for people to
put in their own wells again (with handpumps) and assist them
through the process; provide a list of well drillers and services.
Alternately a town well (or three) could be installed for
public use, ‘just in case.’
Awareness Building
8. Regular Education Seminars: Perhaps combine on-going DOiT
community updates with a presentation on a topic of interest
or an informative film and discussion. Such topics as ‘What
Is Peak Oil’; current IPCC findings on the state of climate
change; emergency planning; urban agriculture; calculating
your carbon footprint; other Transition Towns etc. Really,
any excuse for an on-going meeting/activity for Transition
Town minded local individuals would be a great community building
and networking tool and a fermentor for discussion and new
ideas as well as inducing people to get involved, act, participate,
volunteer.
- David Wilson
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