Edmonton to have full source-separated waste collection by August, new carts begin rolling out to homes in March
Waste collection in Edmonton will soon be changing and not only because trucks will be equipped with an automated arm to pick up garbage. Residents in all single-unit homes and some multi-unit homes will receive a black garbage cart and a green organics cart within the next several months. When the new system starts later this year, food scraps will need to be separated from garbage and put into the organics cart for composting. Recycling will continue to be picked up in blue bags and there is no cart planned for that at this time. Waste services branch manager Michael Labrecque said the shift is part of the city’s 25-year waste strategy and long-term goal of diverting 90 per cent of waste from landfill. Despite the phased rollout, all residents have until Feb. 12 to select what size of garbage cart they would like. The large bin, at 240 litres, is the default size and is recommended for households with three or more people. A smaller 120-litre cart is available upon request by Feb. 12 in order to receive it by the start of the new program. An online form to request the smaller cart size is on the city’s website. Source: Edmonton Journal
Electricity Prices for Alberta
The Alberta power pool price averaged 3.844 cents per kWh in December 2020. This price is 0.001 cents lower than last month’s average of 3.845 cents per kWh. The pool price has averaged 4.653 cents per kWh over the last 12 months.
As of January 11, 2021, the forward market was predicting electricity prices for the calendar years of 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. These prices are 6.610, 6.200, 5.600, 5.250 and 5.100 cents per kWh respectively.
Gas Prices for Alberta
Direct Energy’s gas rate for December 2020 was $2.705 per GJ in Alberta. The January 2021 rate has been set at $2.784 per GJ. Alberta gas prices have averaged $2.282 per GJ over the last 12 months.
As of January 4, 2021, the forward market was predicting gas prices for the calendar years of 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. These prices are 2.45, 2.29, 2.14, 2.15, 2.27, and 2.52 cents per GJ respectively.
British Columbia
Why mobile home residents are paying for more electricity
Most of BC Hydro’s 70,000 mobile home customers are over 60 and live on low incomes – but on average they are paying much higher power bills per square foot than people living in houses, apartments, duplexes, and townhouses, according to a new report. A mobile home uses, on average, 50 per cent more electricity per square foot than a single-family home and about the same as many townhouses or duplexes – though they are generally smaller, sometimes as much as half the size, according to BC Hydro. There is not much that can be done about the insulation and thin walls of a mobile home, but according to BC Hydro spokesperson Mora Scott, there is still lots that can be done to improve energy efficiency and lower electrical bills. She said sealing gaps and cracks with weather stripping to block drafts can reduce a BC Hydro bill by about 10 percent. Furthermore, when uranium stock prices lower again, this should lead to a drop in energy prices. Window upgrades can help with energy efficiency – there is also a BC Hydro rebate of up to $2,000 for window replacements. installing a heat pump to drastically reduce the cost of heating and cooling mobile homes. She said it can be pricey – between $4,000 and $5,000 after installation, but there is a $2,000 BC Hydro rebate, and she said for someone using an air conditioner and electricity to heat their home, a heat pump can reduce BC Hydro bills by 25 per cent. Scott said BC Hydro plans to take the findings of its report and work on plans for other rebates and ways to help mobile home residents reduce their electricity use. Source: CBC News
Ontario
Ottawa to hike federal carbon tax to $170 a tonne by 2030
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau released the government’s strategy to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 – and its centrepiece is a gradual hike in the federal carbon tax on fuels to $170 a tonne by that year. Beyond the carbon tax hike, the government is promising $15 billion in new spending on climate initiatives over the next 10 years – money earmarked for improvements to the country’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure, rebates and tax write-offs for zero-emissions vehicles and funding for home retrofits, among dozens of other proposed policies. Ottawa imposed the carbon tax on jurisdictions that have so far refused to implement their own carbon pricing scheme: Alberta, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The constitutionality of the federal carbon tax is still before the Supreme Court of Canada. Ontario Premier Doug Ford, an ardent critic of carbon pricing, said he was deeply concerned by Trudeau’s plan to hike the carbon tax, saying such a sizeable increase could be economically devastating. Source: CBC News
Electricity Prices for Ontario
The Hourly Ontario Energy Price (HOEP) was an average of 1.516 cents per kWh in December 2020. This price is 0.562 cents higher than last month’s 0.954 cents per kWh. The twelve month moving average was 1.263 cents per kWh up to December 2020.
The Actual Rate for the Global Adjustment rate Class B for November 2020 was set at 11.705 cents per kWh. The Global Adjustment is an additional charge paid by non-regulated customers. (Source: IESO)
Saskatchewan
SaskPower Signs on to Canada’s SMR Action Plan
The Government of Canada released the national Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Action Plan, including a chapter from SaskPower. The plan outlines the progress and ongoing efforts to develop and deploy SMRs across the country. In its chapter, SaskPower shares its plan to bring forward a recommendation to proceed with SMR planning phase work in 2021. This work would be required to enable deployment of small modular reactors in Saskatchewan in the early to mid-2030’s. SMR development is a key objective in the province’s 10-year Growth Plan, with the potential to create a nuclear industry in the province. “The development of small modular reactors in Saskatchewan provides an exciting and unique opportunity for power generation in our province,” said Don Morgan, Minister Responsible for SaskPower. “SMRs have the potential to provide stable, secure base load power while reducing our emissions.” Source: SaskPower
Manitoba
Amazon effect’ at play in Winnipeg recycling bins as residents stay home, shop online
If your recycling bin is overstuffed with pizza boxes and packaging from the last time you ordered online, you are not alone. The recent provincial public health orders are having an effect on what we consume and what happens when it’s thrown out. The City of Winnipeg has seen increases in the volume of material coming through the waste management system – both garbage headed for the landfill and recyclable material headed to the sorting plant. The new GFL Environmental recycling plant was processing roughly 4,000 tonnes of material per month soon after being opened last year. That volume is increasing as Winnipeggers stay at home more. Mark Kinsley, the city’s supervisor of waste diversion, says the statistics showed a first blip in the first partial lockdown in the spring and then again this fall. Source: CBC News
New Brunswick
Higgs facing carbon-tax squeeze from Ottawa
Premier Blaine Higgs is facing a carbon-tax squeeze by Ottawa as the federal government ramps up the pricing requirement that provinces, including New Brunswick, will be required to follow in the coming decade. The Trudeau Liberals will require fossil fuel consumption to be taxed at $170 a tonne by 2030, a rate that provinces with their own carbon taxes will be expected to follow. New Brunswick’s carbon-tax plan, designed to negate most of the impact on consumers, will not be able to keep up with that increase. If the premier refuses to go along with it, the federal carbon tax could be re-imposed on New Brunswick, depriving the provincial government of revenue. But it would also mean rebates for New Brunswickers that could reach $2,000 or more. Source: CBC News
Prince Edward Island
P.E.I. decking the dunes with old Christmas trees
Some discarded Christmas trees are being used by Parks Canada to help with dune restoration in P.E.I. National Park. The trees, which are provided by Island Waste Management Corporation, are used in the dune areas of the park impacted by human interference. Kerry-Lynn Atkinson, a park ecologist and team leader for Parks Canada, said it is a great way to reuse the trees and put them back into nature, and it is a program that has really been working over the years. The trees are laid down parallel to the dune system and are staked together to tie them to the location. Through the winter, they start to provide a structure for the sand to be recaptured and hold it in place. Trees that came down in the park during post tropical storm Dorian were used in this manner, Atkinson said. Island Waste Management will begin collecting discarded Christmas trees curbside on Jan. 11. Source: CBC News
Québec
Green or blue?: Quebec eyes overtaking Alberta to emerge as Canada’s hydrogen hub
this Quebec and Alberta are leveraging their respective strengths to emerge as hydrogen hubs, and hoping to take pole position in a nascent industry that’s gaining popularity amid a global move towards decarbonization. Utility provider Hydro-Québec is aiming to position its home province as the ideal location to produce so-called ‘green’ hydrogen, capitalizing on its abundant hydroelectricity. On December 8, Hydro-Québec announced plans to build and operate an electrolysis plant in Varennes, an off-island suburb of Montreal. The utility says it will be one of the world’s most powerful electrolyzers for making green hydrogen, with a capacity of 88 megawatts. Hydro-Québec will invest $200 million in the facility that will supply hydrogen and oxygen to a biofuel plant, which will convert non-recyclable waste into ethanol and methanol. In case, hydrogen is required for the chemical process of converting waste into biofuels. The project is being developed in partnership with Montreal-based Enerkem, Shell Canada Ltd., Suncor Energy Inc., and Switzerland-based Proman AG, with both plants scheduled to begin production at the end of 2023. Hydro-Québec doesn’t currently produce hydrogen but French company Air Liquide S.A. has a hydrogen facility in Bécancour, in the Centre-du-Québec region, which is expected to be expanded by 50 per cent. Source: Edmonton Journal
Newfoundland and Labrador
Ottawa defers $844M in Muskrat Falls payments, almost all due by end of year
The federal government is again saying it will take steps to make Newfoundland and Labrador’s Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project financially stable – including waiving immediate payments due from Crown corporation Nalcor Energy – but there are few exact details on how the project will affect the province’s ratepayers. The province would have been on the hook to pay $844 million, $780 million of which would have been due by the end of December and added to the provincial debt, Furey said. He said deferral of those payments relieves the “immediate fiscal pressures” the province was facing, but is just a short-term part of the future of Muskrat Falls. The next phase will be talks on restructuring the finances of the project to lower hydro rates, but Furey said an agreement will be in place by the time Muskrat Falls is commissioned. He expects it will be drafted and signed in the spring of 2021, and enacted in the fall.
Furey said it’s possible the federal government may take an equity stake in the project. Source: CBC News
Nova Scotia
COVID-19 wastewater testing expanding in Nova Scotia
Researchers at Dalhousie University are teaming up with three other Nova Scotia universities to expand a program that tests for COVID-19 indicators in wastewater. About $850,000 is being invested into the expansion. The work builds on the recent results of a pilot study in Halifax and Wolfville where the virus that causes COVID-19 was detected in wastewater. Now testing will be done at many more locations in the province. Although COVID-19 is a respiratory illness, the genetic material of the virus that causes COVID-19 has been found in wastewater. The 18 member project team includes scientists, researchers and students. The funding, provided by Research Nova Scotia, will help pay for staff, protective equipment, travel and other costs. Source: CBC News
Nunavut
Climate change blamed for warm Nunavut weather
Climate change is contributing to unusually warm weather in Nunavut and Nunavik, according to a senior climatologist with Environment Canada. “I often say you don’t see climate change when you look out the window. The exception is Nunavut,” said David Phillips. Temperatures are 10 to 12 degrees warmer than usual in many places. “We clearly know this is going to be, in Iqaluit, for example, the warmest year on record,” Phillips said. Temperatures should be between –19 and –28 C over southern Baffin Island. But on Frobisher Bay, some hunters are still travelling by boat because the bay has open water at a time when they are usually crossing it on snowmobiles. Some people in Nunavut would prefer normal winter temperatures. “It’s kind of crappy for snowmobiling, I guess. Makes it hard to get out on the land,” Iqaluit resident Chris Lewis said. Even those who enjoy the warmer weather are concerned. “It’s wonderful for us humans, but I don’t think it’s very good for the animals,” said Monica Ell, also from Iqaluit. Source: CBC News
Northwest Territories
Dehcho First Nation and scientists launch climate change podcast
Climate change is a topic talked about all the time, but often a piece is missing ̶ what’s happening from the perspective of people at ground zero who see the impacts every single day. Well, a new podcast titled All Ages, All Voices, A Denendeh Podcast seeks to change that by creating a platform where people throughout the Dehcho region of the Northwest Territories share their stories and knowledge. The ultimate goal is to inform Dehcho members on how climate change impacts the region, and what is happening in the territory. The podcast is a collaboration between the Dehcho First Nations, Wilfred Laurier University and the Dehcho Collaborative on Permafrost. The team working on the podcast want people of all ages and all voices to talk about climate change, the path forward and what is happening in the N.W.T. They hope that the podcast will reach international audiences. Source: CBC News
Yukon
Longstanding climate change research project continues in Old Crow, Yukon
Vuntut Gwitchin traditional territory is one of the fastest warming areas in the world. That is why the Vuntut Gwitchin Government is teaming up with researchers from across Canada to address community concerns about climate change and its impacts on the land around Old Crow, Yukon. “The consequences of that are going to be long ranging and diverse and they’re going to touch on every aspect of the environment,” said Jeremy Brammer, fish and wildlife manager for the Vuntut Gwitchin Government. Some of the concerns include water, lakes, and rivers and how they are forming, breaking up and draining away. Another question surrounds shrubs, willows, and alder growth, which has increased significantly. Researchers want to know what impact it is having on water quality, the land and permafrost. Source: CBC News
I am a serial entrepreneur who has over 30 years of experience and education in the role of contracted Director of Marketing and Sales here at Solution 105. I have built companies in manufacturing, software training, laser systems development and management consulting.
My favourite thing about being at Solution 105 is the people and culture. I find S105 an organization that is welcoming, open, caring, kind and equipped with an abundance of integrity. One of my favourite memories while at Solution 105 is realizing that I would have to start training to keep up while walking anywhere with founder Chris Vilcsak.
When I am not at Solution 105, I am a father of four and a grandfather of two. I love scuba diving, kayaking, canoeing, backcountry camping and spending time with loved ones.
Jiaqi Wang
I am honoured to start my career journey as an analyst with Solution 105 as the result of my first and my only job application so far. Here I can transform my academic strengths into real-life applications with a 100% correlated linkage between them, which always makes me happy and comfortable. I love the flexibility and family-like environment in our warm team.
It has always been engaging talking with our analyst team members. We solve the challenges through lighthearted discussions and even by making jokes sometimes. We created many internal memes and nicknames for ourselves during those fun conversations.
During my spare time, I love travelling to places where there are nice musical fountains. I have kept an endless passion for this unique hobby since I was two and a half years old. I also enjoy doing a lot more things, but sports…
Dzianna Hopson
I love being busy! And at Solution 105 there is always something to do and a variety of tasks. I never find myself bored and the team is always there to lend a hand if I find myself ever caught up on the work assigned to me.
I love the lunchtime conversations (and playing Monopoly Go.) But I’d have to say one of my favorite memories was when one of the co-op students asked some fun philosophy questions. The debate that followed was very entertaining, even if we didn’t all agree.
In my spare time – if I can find any with my brand-new husband Gavin and our 9-year son Jude and 10-year-old daughter Claudia – I love to play games! Board games, video games, roleplaying games. I am passionate about gaming! On the weekends I love to play board games with my family; right now, the household favorite is the Catacombs of Karak. And I also work with a team on a visual novel type game in my spare time, that is coming along beautifully.
Ana Talstaya
I assist our submetering and data analysis groups so that they help our customers in an effective and timely manner. I enjoy having a wide range of tasks – it is never boring – while being involved in projects from inception to completion.
Three main things I love about Solution 105: first of all, it is a great team and it is a pleasure to work here. Second, we implement new tools including modern submetering equipment and our own software that we are proud of – this means constant learning and development. Third, and very important – the environmental focus of Solution 105. When we help our clients to save money by reducing their carbon footprint, we help our planet!
In my free time, I love going to the theatre and concerts, reading books in three languages, taking drawing courses, swimming, biking, and growing flowers in my garden. My dream is to travel more through Canada and to far places to admire gorgeous landscapes and learn about different countries and cultures.
Daniel Palombo
Facing new programming challenges is what I love most about my job at Solution 105. I enjoy logic puzzles and thinking outside the box, and being an IT Developer means I get to feel engaged at work every day. I feel proud whenever I walk past someone’s desk and see that they are using code that I wrote.
Meeting all of my coworkers for the first time was very memorable for me. Everyone has been friendly and approachable, and I felt I was able to fit in easily. My colleagues have always been there to lend a hand and help me develop my skills, and it is sometimes jarring to look back and see how much I have improved because of them.
When I’m not at work, I’m usually painting miniatures, sketching, reading, or programming. I will also leap in to help my friends make short films for school when they need me. I wouldn’t call myself an artist, but I find it enjoyable to exercise my creative side.
Matt Cassady
I graduated from NAIT from the Computer Engineering program. In 2014, I started at Solution 105 as the Tenant Submetering guy. I have since moved into an IT Developer role, in which I spend most of my time managing databases as well as creating websites and tools for both in-house and client use.
I love being able to take an idea out of my colleague’s heads and using it in combination with extra info and other neat features, to create a fully functional website for our clients, like our SmartPortal for example!
When not at work, I can be found playing men’s soccer with Les or pretending I’m a professional hockey goalie for my beer league team. When I’m not feeling in the sporty mood, I often cuddle up with my cat Dixie, and spend my night gaming.
Les Cebula
I’m the S105 IT developer extraordinaire. My colleagues are always throwing me new challenges and it’s great to tackle them and keep on learning.
I love the chilled-out atmosphere at S105 and sharing interests with co-workers who are like friends. I’m really proud of S105’s many accolades, like the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award and Alberta Venture’s Best Workplace.
My best times at S105 is when the team lets loose at BBQ’s and Christmas parties. It’s fantastic to be encouraged to bring my young boys Nataniel and Dominik to the office too. And Gucci, my loveable boxer dog. My favourite thing to do is spend time with the boys and my adorable wife, Marta. To relax you’ll find me playing soccer, watching movies and–go figure–building and repairing computers.
Cameron Mitchell
I’m proud to call myself employee #1 at Solution 105. Considering I was the first company employee back in 1999, I think that’s fair.
I’m the resident energy industry expert, number cruncher and cracker of whips in the Data Analysis and Forecasting department. You should see how excited I get when I find billing errors that save our clients lots of money. Yes, sounds corny, but what I love most about my job is helping our clients. Flexible hours and control over my own work also make my job great.
In my spare time I dream of and practice to win a major tennis or PGA golf tournament. I spend half my year obsessing over fantasy football and the other half fixated with the hockey drafts. The very best thing of all time at S105 is that I found my wife Tara here. Together we are proud to have collaborated on our two beautiful girls, Riley & Ruby.
Tara Timinski
I’m proud to wear many hats at S105. Okay, people say I’m bossy. But I sure do get things done–accounting, HR, marketing, special event planning, employee satisfaction…and lots more. I love the flexibility of my job, the people I work with and a perfect work–life balance. My girls grew up in the office from six weeks of age. Their ultimate playdate is coming to work and playing with our President, Chris. He makes the best forts.
My favourite memories at S105? Client open houses, Christmas parties, BBQ’s, volunteering at the Food Bank, office moves, our 10th birthday party at the Telus Centre, winning the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award…
My family is my passion. Two girls under five keeps me busy. I let off steam at bootcamp, yoga and zumba, and relax with photography and gardening. At the end of the day, the one thing I love most is a great glass of red.
Chris Vilcsak
The best thing about S105 is the people I work with and the people I work for. It’s a joy when we all come together and creatively solve whatever problem our client is facing.
My most memorable moment at S105 was our 10th Birthday Celebration, our big client (and their families) appreciation party, held at the Telus Science Centre. It really hit home that the greatest gift we give our clients is saving them time, so they can enjoy themselves and spend more time with their families. The other highlight of the night was laying the foundation for an environmental focus for the future of S105.
For fun I love being outside – kayaking, mountain climbing, downhill skiing. And, traveling to remote areas, in foreign lands. I am also a Certified Hypnotherapist, passionate about helping people move forward into the life they want… mostly getting out of their own way and learning from their past rather than taking their past with them.
Natasha Dion
I’ve been a part of the IT team at Solution 105 for over five years already. I was hired right after graduating from the University of Calgary and I couldn’t be more grateful for Solution 105 to give me such a great start to my career. The dynamic learning environment has helped me quickly develop my skills from the backend databases and software to the front-end websites.
I work remotely from Calgary so my best memories are the Christmas parties. It’s nice to see everyone’s faces both those I know and the new ones I don’t.
I love how Solution 105 encourages a healthy work–life balance. There is lots of vacation time and staff events to encourage and refresh moral allowing me to tackle any task with more efficiency. I can’t wait to see what difficulty we will solve next!