Regina delays decision on purchasing diesel buses after learning it's failing to meet climate goals
Regina's executive committee tabled the decision until next month in order to get more information
Image | Regina Transit, 11th Avenue
Caption: Regina Transit will have to replace as many as 49 buses between 2027 and 2030 and council needs to decide what kind of buses to purchase. (Alexander Quon/CBC)
Regina's executive committee heard a simple message on Wednesday: The city is not on track to meet its climate change goals.
That's according to a trio of reports on climate change presented at the city's executive committee; a climate adaption strategy, an update on the city's Energy & Sustainability Framework and a decision on what model of buses to purchase.
The news that the city is not meeting its climate goals was disappointing for 12-year-old Kiké Dueck, a climate advocate.
Dueck addressed councillors in the meeting and urged them to take action.
"I've had a lot of trouble getting through to a lot of forms of government, and it makes me sad because I feel like the adults of this world aren't taking this as seriously as they need to be," Dueck said.
The central report was an update on the City of Regina's Energy & Sustainability Framework, which was passed in 2022.
The framework functions as a guide and includes a goal to "reduce emissions by 52 per cent by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions and become 100 per cent renewable by 2050."
The most recent data available shows that from 2023 to 2024 the city's emissions were only reduced by 5 per cent. That's well short of the 12 per cent target, according to the report. This year's target is 12 per cent.
The report explains that the city is not on pace to reach its own climate goals and that "more transformative actions are needed" to meet its goal for 2030.
The focus at the meeting then shifted to the cost of addressing the problem.
Some councillors suggested what they described as "common sense solutions" — such as engineering controls — instead of making large investments.
The executive committee passed the climate adaption strategy, but no decisions were made on how to get the city back on track to reach its climate goals.
Further suggestions could be made at the city council meeting on Aug. 27, or during the municipal budgeting process next month.
Decision on bus purchases delayed
The update came as another report recommended that the City of Regina replace its aging bus fleet with refurbished diesel engines instead of purchasing electric buses.
Regina has already purchased 20 electric buses, and enough chargers for 40 more, through the Zero Emission Transit Fund, a federal cost-sharing program that saw the two governments each contribute $26 million.
That cost-sharing program is over and the federal government isn't planning to offer it again. With Regina Transit required to replace as many as 49 additional transit buses between 2027 and 2030, staff have recommended purchasing diesel buses as they are more cost-effective.
Prime Minister Mark Carney's decision to drop the carbon tax will reduce the purchasing and maintenance costs associated with diesel buses, according to the report.
Brett Dolter, an economist at the University of Regina, urged council to take a close look at its priorities, telling media that the bus report appeared to miss a bigger picture.
"It would be nice to see not just a consideration of the cost, but also a consideration of the benefits," saidDolter.
Under questioning from Ward 8 Coun. Shanon Zachidniak, staff admitted that purchasing diesel buses would undermine the city's climate goals and potentially delay the goal of having a fully electric transit fleet by 2039.
Each electric bus would save approximately 30 tonnes of carbon emissions per year when compared to diesel buses. That's the equivalent of removing eight cars from the road for each diesel bus replaced by an electric bus, according to the report.
Dueck urged council to keep its eye focused on its commitment.
"You're behind on a lot of things and it doesn't seem like you'll meet your goals, but I know that you have the ability to. I want to be able to trust our council. I want to be able to believe that the council will actually enact the plan," he said.
Council tabled the decision on purchasing buses until next month in order to get more information.
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