Green Energy & Transportation
Think Green.
In recent years, the growing cost of transportation and energy, including ferries, gas, and electricity, has put noticeable pressure on Hornby businesses and households. Is it possible to develop more affordable and carbon friendly infrastructure for the island?
Welcome to the energy and transportation initiative.
HICEEC has appointed a staff member, Karen Ross, to the Ferry Advisory Committee, with the long-term goal of affordable pricing and common-sense in the ferry schedules and service. In January, 2023 Karen became the Chair of the Hornby Denman Ferry Advisory Committee. The 12 members of the committee, worked together with a group of dedicated retired BCF captains, engineers, and academics to orchestrate change. In 2023, the 44 car Quinitsa was deployed to the Hornby route for the shoulder and summer seasons. And in the summer months the Kahloke ran in tandem with the Baynes Sound Connector on the shared Islands route.
The "Ferry Discussion Group" continues to lobby for permanent, year-round, improvements to service for both routes.
To find out the location of the Hornby and Denman ferries, in real time, check out this link: http://denmanisland.org/
What about if we reduced our energy bills while greening the grid?
HICEEC has embarked on a journey to grow renewable power on the island. In collaboration with the Comox Valley Regional District, our first stop: A solar project on the new Recycling Depot Free Store, installed in June 2016.
In response to the emerging awareness for moving from fossil fuel fired vehicles to the greener electric charged vehicles, HICEEC installed an Electric Vehicle Charging Station, on the property where their office was located at the time. As shared tenants at the location, the First Credit Union partnered in the venture by paying for the hydro use.
Donations are encouraged for the station's use, as a contribution for repairs and maintenance. HICEEC replaced the initial residential charger in 2020 with a commercial model.