by EVAN MATTHEWS
The Village of Valemount continues to explore the potential of installing a new charging station, and pending public consultation its location has been confirmed on 4th Avenue.
At its Feb. 14 meeting, Council voted in favour of giving staff permission to begin applying for grants through CBT’s Community Initiatives Program, as well as “other funding options”.
“I think it’s crucial that residents have been approached and we don’t just announce there will be an electric charging station,” said Councillor Peter Reimer.
“Regardless of existing parking, this is out of courtesy to the local residents so this isn’t a surprise to them,” he said.
“Especially those that are across the street,” Mayor Jeannette Townsend added.
At its Jan. 12, meeting, the Economic Development Committee (EDC) voted in favour of a motion to consider building a supporting structure for an Electric Vehicle Charging Wall Connector with a 24’ cable.
The Kamloops Electric Vehicle Users’ Club will donate the Electric Vehicle Charging Wall Connector and its 24’ cable, according to a report written by Economic Development Officer, Silvio Gislimberti, and former interim-CAO, Gord Simmons.
The report also reads EDC committee members identified an ideal location for the charging station, which is on the south side of 4th Avenue between the Cemetery and Centennial Park.
Councillor Owen Torgerson made mention of the charging station being a step in the right direction, as Valemount would join 59 other B.C. communities in having a charging station, while Councillor Sandy Salt echoed the notion.
Clarification: In the Rocky Mountain Goat Feb. 23 issue, The Goat reported “Torgerson made mention of the charging station being a step in the right direction, as Valemount would join 59 other B.C. communities in having a charging station.”
The sentence should have read, “Torgerson made mention of the charging station being a step in the right direction toward Valemount joining 59 other B.C. communities in efforts to become carbon-neural.” Torgerson says the information comes from Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.
Ninety-seven per cent of B.C.’s local governments have signed the Climate Action Charter, according to the Province, which commits them to be carbon-neutral in their corporate operations; to measure and report on community-wide greenhouse gas emissions; and to create complete, compact and energy-efficient communities.
B.C. has the largest public charging infrastructure network in Canada, according to the Province, with more than 1,100 stations.
