City of Vernon taking a ‘step’ towards energy saving

The City of Vernon is taking a step towards energy efficiency.

City council voted to support an updated timeline and engagement process for implementing the BC Step Code for future projects.

The code was created in 2017 and it is a provincial compliance measurement standard for improving energy efficiency in building projects.

The city the step code “goes above and beyond the requirements of the existing BC building code’’ for energy efficiency.

The province is mandating municipalities to implement step 3 , which would lead to a 20 per cent increase in efficiency by 2022.

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“This is an opportunity for the City to show leadership in requiring improved energy performance in new buildings.” says Mayor Victor Cumming, in a press release statement.

The city is expected to consult with members of the construction industry this fall and hope to implement the Step code in all single family, two, three and four plex buildings, rowhouses and low rise apartments by Spring 2020.

“Council is serious about doing what we can to reduce the community’s greenhouse gas footprint and this is one tool we have to advance this goal,” Mayor Victor Cumming said.

The city of Penticton, and Lake Country have already implemented the Step Code for single family homes.

The City of Kelowna is expected to follow suit by Dec. 1.