2007 Houston

As a small, northern community with limited financial means, the District of Houston's focus is
ON-THE-GROUND initiatives that make a difference to quality of life for residents, all the while
ensuring that our environmental impact leaves a pristine and sustainable community for our
children. Current "green" initiatives include:

1. Geothermal heating of the new pool - commissioned in 2006
2. Geothermal heating and ice refrigeration for both the arena and curling rinks - 2007/08
3. District energy system - a revenue-generating, long-term utility
4. Energy Centre of the North - a demonstration model of key "green" building technologies
5. Heat recovery from the sewer treatment plant, heating the public works building
6. Community Action on Energy Efficiency initiatives
7. Arena "Live Sites" upgrade
8. Community "Local Motion" walking / bicycling trails
9. "Green" bylaw upgrades including, a) official community plan amendments for sustainable
   living land-use, b) clean air bylaw, c) nuisance bylaw and d) revised water bylaw with water
   meter provisions
10. Municipal woodstove exchange program - to financially entice compliance with the clean air
    bylaw - for the elimination of non-certified solid fuel burning appliances by 2010
11. Industry's compliance by decommissioning their beehive burners by 2007 - replaced by a
    pellet plant and bark energy system
12. District composting program
13. Greening with street trees program - 200 mature trees planted in 2006 alone
14. Financial sustainability focus through a responsible asset management program and
    Community Forest initiative
15. New seniors housing centre and announcement for 24/7 healthcare starting in 2007
16. "Green" storm water system