The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

x ; SC € § B m g 3 s 3 n $ P 5 i > 3 can pc 7z flashlig a Ove C betwe 3 powere & in the I C gity. no 2 resider Z ing up < source & nuive new Waterlooâ€"based Af)ilot project is aiming o prove solar energy can power more than just flashlights and calculators. Solar home pilot project launched in Waterloo Over the next two years, between eight to 10 solarâ€" powered homes will be built in the Eastbridge area of the city, near RIM Park, to show residents the benefits of givâ€" ing up conventional energy sources in favour of an environmentally friendly method of generating heat. "There are several beneâ€" fits to using solar energy," said Ian MacLellan, presiâ€" dent of Arise Technologies Corporation, a solar engiâ€" neering company based in Kitchener that will install the necessary technology in the homes. "Solar energy is much more environmentalâ€" ly responsible than convenâ€" tional coal or gas energy. Up to +100,000 Phone (519)577â€"3804 secured min. Date: Time: Place: The purpose of the public meetings is to consider various revisions to the Regional Official Policies Plan (ROPP) addressed by the Housekeeping Amendment, proposed as part of the Fiveâ€"Year ROPP Review. The proposed Amendment pertains to the entire planning area of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. The proposed Amendment includes minor editorial revisions and the reâ€"estabâ€" lishment of policies pertaining to Groundwater Discharge Areas. By Anprea BaiLey Chronicle Staff The public meeting is called pursuant to Sections 17 and 22 of the Planning Act, R.S.0. 1990, c.P. 13 as amended, for the purpose of providing information and receiving comments from the public. No decision will be made on the proâ€" posed Amendment, you must sign the register available at the meeting or make a written request to the Regional Clerk, Regional Municipality of Waterloo, 150 Frederick Street, 2" Floor, Kitchener N2G 413. Please note that if a person or public body that files a notice of appeal of a decision concerning the proposed Amendment does not make an oral submisâ€" sion at the meeting of does not make a written submission before the proposed Amendment is adopted or refused, the Ontario Municipal Board may dismiss all or part of the appeal by that person or public body. A copy of the draft proposed amendment is available for review at the Planâ€" ning. Housing and Community Services Department office, 5" Floor, Regional Administration Headquarters, 150 Frederick Street, Kitchener. For further information, please call Kristen Kumpf at 575â€"4014. Persons interested in appearing as delegation must register with the Office of the Regional Clerk by calling 575â€"4420 no later than Friday, June 14 at 3:00p.m. Evelyn L. Orth, CMO, CMC Director, Council and Administrative Services/Regional Clerk % PUBLIC MEETING REGIONAL OFFICIAL POLICIES PLAN: PROPOSED HOUSEKEEPING AMENDMENT Tuesday, June 18, 2002 9:00 a.m. Regional Council Chambers 150 Frederick Street, 2nd floor, Kitchener "And with solar energy, being that it‘s the sun, the fuel is free. You can‘t get much better than that." Eight to 10 solarâ€"powered homes, like this Arise Technologies home, will be built in Waterloo over the next two years as part of pilot project funded in part by the federal government. "And with solar energy, _ conditioning." â€" by 20 tons each year. MacLelian said the pilot project will be used to preâ€" dict the market conditions for _ solar â€" technology between the years 2005 and 2010. "It‘s an experiment to determine whether the marâ€" ketplace would be receptive to this technology," he said. "Then homebuyers could have the solar option right in front of them. When they go look at a home, they could say that they‘d like the solar option, much like they would if they wanted air MacLellan, a Waterioo resident himself, knows firsthand the benefits of livâ€" ing in a solar home. He had solar panels installed on his rooftop over two years ago, and claims it was one of the best choices he‘s ever made. "It‘s a very comfortable home," he said. "We never run out of hot water. We can take as many long, hot showers as we want without being concerned about the cost, because it‘s free. "And by using this kind of technology, we‘ve figured out that we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions _"It feels pretty good, knowing I‘m doing my part for the environment." The Canadian governâ€" ment has also recognized the merit of the pilot projâ€" Kitchener MP Karen Redâ€" man recently announced a federal grant of over $1 milâ€" lion, in support of the solar "This project showcases Canada as a leader in develâ€" oping and implementing innovative technologies," Redman said. "Canada can diversify its energy sources by using alternatives such as solar, and by doing so will simultaneously _ reduce _ way to harvest it as inexpenâ€" greenhouse gas emissions _ sively as possible." that lead to climate change. Other partners in the iniâ€" This will improve the quality _ tiative include Cook Homes, of life for all Canadians." Waterloo North Hydro, the MacLelian said many people are interested in the concept of solar technology, but are often scared off by the price. "A major downside to the technology historically has been the cost," he said. "The technology used to be very expensive. Now, it‘s just expensive. "But the cost has continâ€" uously come down over the last 25 years, and it will conâ€" tinue to come down over the next 25 years." By then, MacLellan is convinced, solar energy will be a mainstream technology in Canada. "Last year in Japan, there were more than 25,000 solar homes built and more than 100,000 systems have been installed since 1994," he "And â€" we‘ve already received calls from people interested in living in the homes being used for the pilot program. "More and more people are realizing the importance of solar energy. Without it, we would have a major problem. There‘s not enough fuel in this world to keep us going without the "The sun is the ultimate source, and we must find a Other partners in the iniâ€" tiative include Cook Homes, Waterloo North Hydro, the City of Waterloo, CIBC and University of Waterloo prof. lan Rowlands. MacLellan said Waterâ€" loo‘s strong environmental policies made building in this city most appealing. "We want to try to embrace any technology that achieves environmental benefit," said Ron Ormson, the city‘s environmental coordinator. "And we heard from many of our citizens through the Imagine! Waterâ€" loo process that there is a great need for air quality improvement. "We‘re hoping this techâ€" nology helps us to achieve a reduction in conventional energy use, and improve upon our air quality. _ "We see this as a renewâ€" able energy source with a lot of promise." @rmson also said the city is now considering having solar panels installed in its own buildings. "Technology and the environment are two strong Waterloo themes," he added Anyone interested in learning more about the pilot program or about solar technology should contact Arise Technologies | at 725â€"2244.