Red Deer Intends to Lower Emissions by 50 per cent

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For three years in a row, Red Deer has been voted the most active community in Alberta. Situated on the Red Deer River, the city has built multi-use pathways, parks, and trails so residents can get outside and enjoy the riverside. With such a focus on outdoor activity, it’s no wonder this community is committed to reducing emissions.

The City of Red Deer aims to lower greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent by 2035 and reduce electricity use by 25 per cent. To help achieve this goal, the city is receiving funding from Emissions Reduction Alberta’s (ERA) Strategic Energy Management for Industry (SEMI) program.

“I came on board with the city last year to support energy efficiency,” said Stephen Odusanya, Energy Manager with the City of Red Deer. “Our Sustainable Building Strategy, as well as our Energy Diversification and Emissions Strategy, were the initial drivers for this work. Then, we realized funding was essential for us to lower emissions. That’s when we applied for SEMI.”

Red Deer has requested $97,000 to support their participation in the Energy Management Information Systems (EMIS) activity at its municipal water and wastewater treatment plants, next to the Red Deer River. The first step is to incorporate a utility bill management system to gather data and inform decisions about energy usage. Next, they will invest in a metering solution that monitors energy consumption in real time.

The Water Treatment Plant is the site of many energy efficiency upgrades.

“We’ve conducted an energy audit of our plants, and I’m participating in Strategic Energy Management training with the program,” says Stephen. “We’re taking full advantage of everything it has to offer. You know, the SEMI team has been responsive and supportive from the application stage to the final approval of funding.”

Quick Facts

  • The City of Red Deer is home to over 100,000 residents and is located in central Alberta.
  • ERA’s SEMI program provides industrial and manufacturing facilities with funding support, expertise, and training in energy management.
  • SEMI is a $70 million program, with funding provided by the Government of Alberta and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). It is designed to help the province’s industrial and manufacturing sectors increase competitiveness, improve energy efficiency, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.