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Nelson Hydro’s EcoSave Program and the West Kootenay EcoSociety present the seventh annual Green Home and Energy Show, an event on Oct. 2 that features both green and sustainable options for building, renovating, and transportation. The theme of this year’s show is zero waste, with an emphasis on saving energy on building a new home or fixing up your current one.
The show is a two-part event. Attendees can visit a variety of local green vendors on one side of the room (trade-show style), and on the other side, there will be short presentations from the experts. The feature presentation includes a series of speakers focusing on zero waste and plastics. Lyne Chartier, of slimmerwaste.com, will take us on an inspiring journey to produce less garbage, and explain how we can ease into this transition.
Darrel Fry, CEO of Advanced BioCarbon 3D Ltd., will showcase a sustainable plastic product made from wood. This, in combination with additive manufacturing, is revolutionizing how the world makes products and decreases carbon emissions. Alyssa Nebel, outreach co-ordinator for the Kootenay Co-op, will share ideas and the line of products that can help you to move your household away from the throwaway culture of today.
There is a lot of buzz about the BC energy step code again this year, as the province has committed to taking incremental steps to increase energy-efficiency requirements in the BC Building Code to make buildings net-zero energy ready by 2032.
The passive house standard results in ultra-low energy buildings that require little energy for space heating or cooling, several local businesses that specialize in this area will be on hand. The City of Nelson’s senior building official, Sam Ellison, will be speaking about its update to the building bylaw in reference to the BC energy step code that was implemented on Aug 1.
“This is our seventh annual show and it seems to get bigger and better every year,” says Carmen Proctor, EcoSave program manager. “An exciting new addition to the show will be the MIDAS Lab, who will be giving demos on 3D printing and 3D scanning. We are also excited to deliver a special announcement regarding a new community e-bike program in Nelson.”
Nelson’s EcoSave Program expanded and is now the Regional Energy Efficiency Program, designed to simplify the process of making your home more energy-efficient. It’s offered to all residents in the Regional District of Central Kootenay. There will be information at the show about subsidized energy evaluations and how you can take advantage of the rebate and income-qualified programs through FortisBC and BC Hydro. For more information, visit rdck.ca/reep.
Local electric vehicle owners will be on hand at the show with a variety of EVs, including the Tesla Model 3, 2019 Hyundai Kona, and a Chevy Bolt. You can ask them about their experience driving electric cars in the Kootenays, plus sign up for a test drive with the #RuralEV Mobile Showcase. The Community Energy Association is excited to continue bringing the experience of driving an EV to people throughout the Kootenays. To sign up for a test drive, register here: http://acceleratekootenays.ca/ruralev-mobile-showcase.
Admission is free. Attendees can enter to win door prizes at each table plus a chance to win the grand prize of $1,000 towards an electric bike from Pedego Canada.
This all takes place at the Prestige Lakeside Resort on Wednesday, Oct. 2. Doors open at 6 p.m. and presentations begin at 6:30 p.m. For the full presentation schedule, visit nelson.ca/ecosave.