Resolutions Search
Property Assessed Clean Energy (Pace)
Status
Endorsed by the NCLGA Membership | Endorsed by the NCLGA Membership - Amended & Endorsed by the UBCM Membership
WHEREAS Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Programs promote energy efficient building retrofits through loans repaid via property tax requisition, and PACE programs support the reduction of greenhouse gases, target the most inefficient buildings, and can support equity of access for those enduring energy poverty;
AND WHEREAS in 2020 the Province identified PACE as a priority and in 2021 awarded the mandate to develop a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Roadmap for British Columbia’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy;
AND WHEREAS PACE loans are repaid by homeowners through an addition to annual property tax bills and currently property tax bills are issued by the Province on behalf of regional districts:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the NCLGA and UBCM request that the Province prioritize the PACE initiative enabling legislation and include consideration for participation by electoral area residents of regional districts.
Actions
Meeting held December 1, 2022 with NCLGA Executive, Hon. Minister George Heyman, SMA Danielle Monroe, Bob McDonald (ENV-Director), Nat Gosman (EMLI Executive Director), Katherine Muncaster (EMLI – Director), Adrian Hickin (EMLI – Executive Director/Chief Geologist)
During discussion on Resolution R8, the following comments were offered: PACE is a shared initiative between Climate Change and EMLI and a tool for building enhancements and retrofits. PACE has been discussed internally with government in regard to red flags which have been raised with implementing PACE, related to the potential of increased costs to homeowners or impeding homeowner security with liens against properties. Monitoring is ongoing on how people address these red flags. The province has not given up on the program but slowed it down as there are a number of other provincial rebates and tools that can be used to fill that space. The Ministry will continue to investigate PACE and other financial tools. If legislation is enabled in the future, we want to be equitable to all Regional Districts (RD) and at some point if we choose to do pilot programs, we will be looking for willing partners and there will be opportunities in your local government association to indicate its interest. We are not proceeding immediately with this but we are considering this tool.