During Monday's Airdrie City Council meeting, a public hearing was held, in which council passed the clean energy improvement program bylaw.

This program will allow Airdrie property owners to access a financing program that will allow them to make energy-efficient and renewable upgrades to their properties. However, concerns were raised to council on whether or not the program would be voluntary or if it would be imposed on residents.

“This is a voluntary program; this is not anything that is imposed on anybody; but is a way for people to access improvements to their homes in a reasonable and cost-effective way,” said Deputy Mayor Tina Petrow. 

Property upgrades will have to pass a qualification process to be eligible for program funding.

“This bylaw outlines among other things, qualifications for the program including permanently being affixed to the property and must increase energy efficiencies or the use of renewable energy,” said Monica Labait manager of revenue and assessment services.

During closing statements, Councillor Heather Spearman brought attention to the game-changing effects this will have on the city. 

“I think we’re all in a situation where we’ve been asked to make a lot of changes the last few days in terms of our energy consumption. So, this will be a really good long-term play for this community,” said Spearman. 

The program will present a more reasonable way for Airdronians to lower their monthly energy costs and improve the energy efficiency of their homes. 

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