BVGEC - August 2020 Update
Bow Valley Green Energy Cooperative
During the last month, the board has been busy….
We held a quarterly retreat to work financing options, and develop a longer term (5-10 yr) vision
We are working to finalize our Cooperative by-laws with legal assistance
We continue to investigate ways to make renewable energy more accessible here in the Bow Valley. On this theme, we are considering opportunities related to energy retail as a potential revenue stream
We are also keeping abreast of post Covid-19 funding opportunities that may emerge in the coming months
The Finance and Administration team is completing the microgeneration business plan and is exploring the implication of alternative revenue streams on the core business operations. The team is furthermore assisting the Project Development team with the development of rate estimates for prospective host sites and assessing liability insurance requirements for different host scenarios.
The Communications and Promotions team is working with the membership team on volunteer and member on-boarding and associated communications. We are building out our branding and our website, ready for volunteer recruitment in the fall.
The Governance team has finalized our draft our bylaws and these are currently under legal review, ready for consideration and adoption by our members at our first AGM.
The Membership and Stakeholder Engagement team has presented a membership strategy for approval by the board of directors.
The Technology and Business Development will begin meeting monthly in September. This committee was the driving force behind the opportunity to become an energy retailer. We are also considering how to align the various parties working in the green space in this region.
The Project Development committee sent out a Request for Supplier Qualification document to potential suppliers and has shortlisted four businesses.
With the help of the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley, we have selected our three focus host sites to move forward under the Investment Readiness Program project.
We are happy to announce that we are now working closely with:
The Grizzly Paw Brewing Company
Discover Banff Tours
A Canmore condominium association (details to be released)
If we have success with our structural and electrical system analysis for each building, the goal is to get these three sites ready to move into the construction phase in late 2021!
Funded by the Government of Canada, the Investment Readiness Program (IRP) supports social purpose organizations as they contribute to solving pressing social, cultural and environmental challenges across Canada.
Jeff Roberts
Chairperson, Bow Valley Green Energy Cooperative
September 16, 2020