Pilot uses EV to help power Toronto building

BIZ  Energy, Real Estate, Transportation  •  National, Toronto / GTA

For the first time in Canada, an electric vehicle is being used to help power a building under a pilot program in Toronto involving the Smart City Sandbox, SWTCH Energy Inc. and Slate Asset Management.

STC orders 1,000 electric school buses from Lion

Transportation  •  Lion Electric  •  Global News

The Lion Electric Company has received a conditional purchase order for 1,000 all-electric LionC school buses from Student Transportation of Canada (STC), a subsidiary of Student Transportation of America, whose controlling shareholder is Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ).

Hertz orders 100,000 Teslas to electrify rental-cars

Transportation  •  CBC  •  Financial Post

Hertz Global Holdings Inc. will buy 100,000 electric vehicles (EVs) from Tesla, one of the largest purchases of battery-powered cars in history. The purchase reflects Hertz’s confidence that EVs are gaining acceptance with environmentally-minded consumers as an alternative to gas-powered vehicles.

Hydra Energy delivers hydrogen-converted truck

Energy, Transportation  •  Energy News

Lodgewood Enterprises, a short- and long-haul trucking company based in Prince George, British Columbia, has received the first of 12 semi-trucks that will be converted at no cost to Lodgewood using Hydra Energy’s reversible hydrogen-diesel conversion kit.

Electrification amid a global power surge: Part 2

Energy  •  Daily Commercial News – Part 1  •  Daily Commercial News – Part 2

The objective of reducing global GHG emissions hinges to a great degree on converting away from fossil fuels. CEO of Passive House Canada, Chris Ballard, says Ontario’s electrical grid, and many other provinces’, have become increasingly centralized under fewer owners.

From homes to cars, it’s time to electrify everything

Energy, Real Estate  •  Yale Environment 360

To shift away from fossil fuels, consumers must begin replacing their home appliances, heating systems, and cars with electric versions powered by clean electricity. Despite the challenges, the politics will change when the economic benefits are felt.

Sponsored by Skyline Group of Companies Sustainable rental housing: how this developer is building it

Summer 2021 saw the kick-off of development for a new 236-suite apartment complex in Gravenhurst, Ontario. The town’s vacancy rate is only 0.4%, indicating the crucial need for new rental stock, which this single development is increasing by 38%. SkyDev,

Make electric vehicles lighter to get more benefits

Transportation  •  Treehugger

The Ford F-150 Lightning weighs 1,500 pounds more than the gasoline version because of the batteries. Putting a value on the carbon saved by going electric shows the increase in weight of the truck rivals the climate benefits of avoided emissions.

U.S. EV tax credit could harm industry: Ottawa

Transportation  •  Financial Post

The Canadian government warned U.S. proposals to create new electric vehicle tax credits for American-built vehicles could harm the North American auto industry and fall foul of trade agreements, according to a letter seen by Reuters.

Hydro-Quebec expects U.S. pushback over NYC line

Energy  •  Financial Post

Hydro-Quebec expects pushback from U.S. rivals that sell power generated from fossil fuels as it prepares to begin construction on a transmission line that will deliver hydroelectricity from Canada to New York City.

Tidal energy may be surge coastal communities need

Energy  •  National Observer

Many remote West Coast communities are reliant on diesel for electricity generation, which has negative environmental effects. But some sites along B.C.’s coastline are ideal for tidal energy microgrids which may allow off-grid communities to generate clean power.

Alberta mountain may become ‘green energy complex’

Energy, Real Estate  •  CBC

Montem Resources — an Australian mining company — had proposed an open-pit coal mine in southwestern Alberta. But after the federal and provincial governments rejected a nearby mining proposal, Montem decided to use Tent Mountain for pumped-hydro energy storage and hydrogen production.

Timber, carbon are future of green construction

Real Estate  •  Globe and Mail

A sustainable building practice set for wider adoption is the use of mass timber to replace structural steel girders. In Canada there have been timber buildings as tall as 14 storeys and timber is gaining acceptance, particularly in B.C. and Ontario.

Steel supply issues create options for mass timber

Real Estate  •  Daily Commercial News

Current supply chain difficulties that extend lead times on commodities such as steel I-joists and pre-engineered building are creating new opportunities for mass timber products in the construction of low-rise commercial buildings across Canada.

Waste heat recovery grows with energy demands

Energy, Waste  •  Environmental Leader  •  SustainableBiz  •  SustainableBiz

The waste heat recovery industry is expected to be worth more than $114 billion by 2028 as rising energy use and the cost of electricity drive the market, according to a report by Market Research Future.

Urban composts harmful to environment

Real Estate  •  La Presse

Non-stick coatings, water-repellent fabrics and fire-fighting foams often contain perfluorinated substances dubbed “eternal chemicals”. A University of Montreal study reveals urban waste and composts, used as fertilizer in fields, can be a significant deposit of “eternal chemicals” contaminating the environment.

U.S. federal contracts to factor in climate change risks

Real Estate  •  Globe and Mail

The Biden administration began a process to amend federal procurement rules to require the U.S. government – the world’s largest buyer of goods and services – to factor the risks of climate change into its contracts.

Procurement’s carbon transparency problem

Energy, ESG  •  GreenBiz  •  GreenBiz

From P&G to Hitachi, companies are committing to net-zero emissions across their supply chains by 2050. From the pollution produced by shipping to the waste created by non-recyclable packaging, supply chains represent a massive portion of a company’s carbon inventory.

Shipping companies must embrace sustainability

Energy, Transportation  •  Corporate Knights

Compared to all other institutions in the world, corporate enterprises have the most significant impact on the environment. According to the Carbon Majors Report published by the Carbon Disclosure Project in 2017, 100 companies are responsible for 71 per cent of global emissions.

UN: Greenhouse gas levels set a record

Energy  •  Globe and Mail  •  CTV  •  CBC

Greenhouse gas concentrations hit a new record high last year and increased at a faster rate than the annual average for the last decade despite a temporary reduction during pandemic lockdowns, the World Meteorological Organization said in a report.