From April 24th to April 29th Ecology Ottawa is taking part in Clean Energy Days. This a week of meetings between Councillors and concerned community members to lobby for a real Renewable Energy Strategy in the City of Ottawa, as well as representatives from Community Associations all over the city who will be meeting with the Mayor. This is a city-wide movement that is unprecedented in both Ecology Ottawa and City Council history.
Why is this so important?
In May 2014, well before the last municipal election, the City of Ottawa promised to develop a clean energy strategy that would help Ottawa transition away from its dependence on fossil fuels by promoting renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy conservation. Three years later, the strategy is still focused on studies and planning, with almost no concrete action in sight. We need a real clean energy strategy – one that includes meaningful policy change recommendations and significant new investments. There’s a serious risk that such a strategy will not be delivered during this term of council. That means a real strategy will only arrive after the next election, if at all!This is a totally unnecessary delay given the amount of time that has already passed since Council first promised to prepare the strategy and the amount of work that has already gone into the process. We need Mayor Watson and City Council to step in and put the process back on track so that the Renewable Energy Strategy that staff presents to Council at the end of this year is a real clean energy strategy – not a plan to possibly develop and approve a strategy sometime in the future.
How can you get involved?
- It’s not too late to join us if you are interested in meeting your representative. Please contact Alex Lomax by email: [email protected] or by phone: 613 860 5353, and we will connect you with a group in your area. You do not need to have any lobbying experience and we can provide materials and support to get you ready.
- Join us at our kick off event on the evening of Monday April 24th at the Richmond Room (above the council chamber) at City Hall. This will be an opportunity to find out more about our Renewable City campaign and meet like-minded people. RSVP here.
- Sign our petition by clicking here.