Ecology Ottawa

News Clippings

Editorial: Something stinks in Ottawa

Ottawa Citizen

By the Editor, Ottawa Citizen, February 12, 2015

Who could blame Ottawa residents for feeling a little down in the dumps about the state of garbage collection and disposal in this city? First, there was the switch to bi-weekly trash pickup, a move that still infuriates many residents from Stittsville to Orleans (especially when the scent of two-week-old garbage starts wafting out of the garage in the summertime). It would have been a powerful wedge issue during the most recent election campaign had a credible alternative bothered to run against Mayor Jim Watson. The sales job behind the move suggested cost savings for the city and a reduction of garbage thanks to increased green bin usage. via Editorial: Something stinks in Ottawa | Ottawa Citizen.

New solar company could change the way we power the ‘festival city’

Metro

By Trevor Greenaway, Ottawa Metro News, February 12, 2015

A new solar start up in Ottawa could ultimately change the way festivals, fairs and outdoor parties power their events – with clean, green, mobile solar energy. Jordan West is one of three partners at Solar On Site – a mobile solar company that says it will bring panels to your event and generate enough power to run everything from a full food vendor market, a Christmas lights display, even the entire food court at Ottawa Bluesfest. via New solar company could change the way we power the ‘festival city’ | Metro.

Transit fees would rise 2.5 per cent if budget adopted

By Laura Mueller, Ottawa Community News, February 11, 2015

The city’s draft budget proposes transit fares rise 2.5 per cent on average, shifting the balance so that fares cover more than half the cost of operating OC Transpo. That concerned some councillors, including Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Leiper and Rideau-Vanier Coun. Mathieu Fleury, who said the city’s longstanding policy has been to achieve a 50-50 split between taxes and fares when it comes to paying for the $478 million annual cost of running OC Transpo. via Transit fees would rise 2.5 per cent if budget adopted.

Turbines, language heat up debate

Ottawa & Region

News

Ottawa Sun

By Dani-elle Dubé, Ottawa Sun, February 12, 2015

The winds of change blew through the nation's capital Wednesday, and not just when the subject of turbines came up. Coming off a busy week in provincial politics, the three remaining Ontario PC leadership candidates converged on Ottawa to show they have what it takes to right the ship that saw the Liberals capture a majority in June 2014. via Turbines, language heat up debate | Ottawa & Region | News | Ottawa Sun.

Transpo ridership dips again in 2014

Ottawa & Region

News

Ottawa Sun

By Jon Willing, Ottawa Sun, February 12, 2015

OC Transpo's ridership reached another low in 2014, in line with a three-year trend that has seen fewer people take city buses and the O-Train. A report for the transit commission says Transpo's ridership last year was 97 million. That's down from 97.9 million in 2013, 101 million in 2012 and 103.5 million in 2011. via Transpo ridership dips again in 2014 | Ottawa & Region | News | Ottawa Sun.

Chemical odour leads to Hintonburg home evacuations - Ottawa - CBC News

By CBC News Ottawa, February 12, 2015

A strong chemical odour has forced the city to stop sewer repair work in Ottawa's Hintonburg neighbourhood after homes were evacuated and store owners complained to the City of Ottawa. On Feb. 2, work began to rehabilitate older sanitary sewer pipes to seal leaks and cracks, while also extending the lifespan of the pipes. via Chemical odour leads to Hintonburg home evacuations - Ottawa - CBC News.

OC Transpo ridership improves slightly

Ottawa Citizen

By Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, February 12, 2015

OC Transpo’s slumping ridership is showing early signs of improvement. For the first time more than two years, ridership in the second half of the year has increased when compared to the same period a year earlier. It reached 47.8 million between July and December 2014, compared to 47.5 million in the same period the previous year. via OC Transpo ridership improves slightly | Ottawa Citizen.

Plasco’s Ottawa plan wasn’t yet ‘economically viable': court documents

Ottawa Citizen

By Vito Pilieci, Ottawa Citizen, February 12, 2015

Plasco Energy Group decided late last year that it wasn’t yet ready to deliver the waste-to-energy facility it had been promising. Court documents filed by the company in order to seek protection from its creditors, which it was granted this week, say the Ottawa firm believed it couldn’t yet operate in an “economically viable” way. via Plasco’s Ottawa plan wasn’t yet ‘economically viable': court documents | Ottawa Citizen.

Small town of Blind River caught up in Plasco fallout — to tune of $17M

Ottawa Citizen

By Vito Pilieci, Ottawa Citizen, February 12, 2015

Among the names of the creditors who are owed millions of dollars due to the fall of Plasco Energy Group is one that sticks out. The North Shore Power Group is a renewable energy initiative that is wholly owned by the municipality of Blind River, a tiny Ontario town located about an hour east of Sault Ste. Marie. via Small town of Blind River caught up in Plasco fallout — to tune of $17M | Ottawa Citizen.

Whoops! City retracts report saying Plasco owes it money, City actually owes Plasco $15,000

Metro

By Lucy Scholey, Ottawa Metro News, February 12, 2015

Now that Ottawa is pulling the plug on Plasco, it’s still unknown how the city will replace the household waste disposal company, but it can get a start on turning a new leaf by settling its tab with the failed company. Despite a city report tabled Wednesday saying the firm owed the city $28,000 a late breaking email from the city’s communications shop notified media there’d been a mistake. In fact the city owed Plasco $15,017.31. The company filed for creditor protection on Tuesday so it can use every penny. Plasco also laid off 80 employees – with a month’s pay – and is hoping to find new investors or buyers. via Whoops! City retracts report saying Plasco owes it money, City actually owes Plasco $15,000 | Metro.

Plasco waste company still owes Ottawa $28K, after city severs ties

Metro

By Lucy Scholey, Ottawa Metro News, February 11, 2015 Now that Ottawa is pulling the plug on Plasco, it’s still unknown how the city will replace the household waste disposal company or recover nearly $28,000 in owed costs. However, according to the environment committee chair, one thing is clear about the next step: the city will seek a safer, proven technology than the waste-to-electricity gas plasma incinerator. via Plasco waste company still owes Ottawa $28K, after city severs ties | Metro.

Rain, low-flow toilets could be to blame for $22M Ottawa water revenue shortfall

Metro

By Lucy Scholey, Ottawa Metro News, February 11, 2015

A rainy summer may be partly to blame for Ottawa’s largest-ever $22-million water and sewer revenue shortfall last year, but city staffers are researching new funding avenues for the service.

In the 2014 budget, the city predicted about $318.5 million in revenue from water and sewer, but actually pulled in about $296.7 million instead.