GAS VS. ELECTRIC HEAT DEBATE RESURFACES AT COUNTY COUNCIL

For some Lanark County councillors, it felt like déjà vu.

After deciding last May to go with natural gas heating systems for three Lanark County Housing Corporation (LCHC) properties, environmental implications of that choice were once again front and centre at the March 8 community services committee meeting.

Housing services manager Shawna Stone was back before council seeking support for the contract award for the $1,386,000 project to 1000 Islands Mechanical Ltd. It involves replacing heating systems at 195 Carss St. in Smiths Falls, 16 Herriott St. in Perth and 176 Robert St. in Almonte from electric (baseboard) to gas boiler plants.

"Those heating systems at those properties are recognized as being in the poorest condition in the housing portfolio and require full replacement as identified in the 10-year housing and homelessness plan," she explained.

It's recommended the Carss Street property be replaced in 2023, with the Perth and Almonte sites to follow in 2024. The project would be paid for with LCHC capital reserves and Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative funding.

When the electric versus gas debate was discussed back in May 2022, county council endorsed gas boilers over air source heat pumps recommended by the county's climate action committee. Emily Hollington, director of social services, noted on May 11, 2022, going electric would bring additional costs — $19,000 for new specifications and an increase of approximately $691,000 to the project's price.

"For extreme cold weather days," Hollington said a natural gas backup would also still be required.

On March 8, Coun. Rob Rainer (Tay Valley reeve) pushed for that decision to be reviewed.

"The current direction in favour of gas heating is against the spirit and intent of the county's climate action plan," he noted. "The county ought to set an example of climate friendly action and be seen by the public as sincere in our climate friendly intentions."

Based on a quote Rainer received, "inunit heat pumps appear to be a cost per unit of about a third of what the cost would be if council awards the contract by staff." He said he would circulate the information to staff but thought the new information may warrant a reconsideration of the May 2022 decision.

Smiths Falls Mayor Shawn Pankow

agreed, noting "this frankly sets us back."

Stone cautioned that if delayed, there's a risk the county could lose the contract. "We may not have someone to do the work. It is what we experienced last year to debate the matter further," she stated. "Contractors book all work in the early part of the year for the rest of year."

Rainer suggested the system at Carss Street could proceed if it's time sensitive.

"There's the potential to scare the contractor away or who may be frustrated with that process because they submitted a bid on a $1.3 million project, not to split it up," Stone cautioned.

Other county councillors didn't want to hold up the project. This is the third time the Request for Proposal has been issued for the heating systems since 2021.

"This decision has been slowed down for two years," said Coun. Richard Kidd

(Beckwith reeve). "Look at our environmental footprint; it's the vehicles that we're driving that are making the most input into the environment. I support the motion the way it is."

"I don't think at the 19th hour we change our course and risk not going ahead with the project," added Coun. Christa Lowry (Mississippi Mills mayor).

If there's a way to use Rainer's suggestion in the future "and it makes sense for taxpayers, there may be areas in the county we can use it," noted Coun. Bill King (Lanark Highlands deputy mayor). "Let's not put this project in jeopardy for the sake of an email someone's been sending around to us."

The majority voted in favour of awarding the contract, which came before county council for approval on March 22, after press deadline.