A year in review: 2022 Environmental Progress Report is here

Read through the 2022 Environmental Progress Report and see the hard work the City of Leduc has done in 2022 in its continuous journey as environmental stewards. With targets set in the 2012 Environmental Plan, the progress report reflects on regional initiatives, air quality monitoring and greenhouse gas reduction actions, civic projects, natural area enhancements, waste diversion initiatives, energy conservation, and alternate transportation. 

Report highlights 

• Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) – Launched in 2022, CEIP provides property owners with a flexible way to pay for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects with competitive interest rates and convenient repayment through property taxes. The first year of the four-year pilot program saw many upgrade projects completed, including solar panel installations, energy efficient window/door upgrades, insulation upgrades, and tankless water heater replacements.  
• City of Leduc's Solar Carport – The first publicly available EV fast-charge location in Leduc became fully operational in 2022. The solar carport has the capacity to generate 26 MWh of clean electricity a year which will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 285 tonnes over 25 years, equivalent to planting approximately 5,000 trees. Two Level 2 chargers and two Level 3 fast-chargers have been providing power, free of charge, for about eight cars per day on average since installation. 
• E-Scooter pilot program – 2022 marked the first year of a two-year e-scooter pilot program to offer an alternative transportation option around the City. There were 18,330 total rides, over 1,000 active users, and noted that the average ride in Leduc was about 20 minutes in length. 
• Cosmetic pesticides – The City invited feedback on the use of cosmetic pesticides, on residential and commercial properties in Leduc. Although 54 per cent of respondents opposed any regulation of pesticide use, more than 60 per cent of respondents were interested in an education campaign on effective pesticide use (64 per cent), and effective alternatives to pesticides (67 per cent). The survey also showed that beautification and naturalization of parks and green spaces are important to residents.  
• Aeroqual AQY Monitors – The Alberta Capital Airshed and Alberta Environment and Protected Areas selected Leduc as the location for a one-year pilot program to test the efficacy and accuracy of a new low-cost sensory technology, called Aeroqual AQY monitors, for Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) reporting. AQHI is a valuable tool for understanding outdoor air quality.  The monitors were installed in 2022, and if the pilot is successful, these sensors could bring AQHI reporting to more communities in an economically feasible way.