2022 budget prioritizes alternative energy for City vehicles

HAMILTON, ON – Moving City buses to natural gas and vehicles used by City workers from combustion to electric engines is part of a $9.5 million commitment to help the City meet its climate change goals.

On December 15, 2021, Hamilton City Council approved the City of Hamilton’s 2022 Tax Supported Capital Budget, which helps the City move forward on its commitment to greening the City’s vehicle fleet.

Key investments highlighted in the 2022 budget that build on the corporate green fleet strategy include:

• $7 million to add nine HSR Expansion Buses operating entirely on natural gas to the fleet.
• $2.5 million to upgrade 89 internal combustion vehicles to battery all-electric over the next three years (2022 to 2024), estimated to reduce emissions by 18.4 per cent by 2024.

These investments build on the important emission reduction actions taken to enhance green fleet initiatives in 2021, including:

• Completed Hamilton’s Green Fleet Strategy and Action Plan, which identified the 89 internal combustion vehicles to be replaced with battery all-electric by 2024.
• Continuing to install 24 more electric vehicle charging stations across the city, with 20 installed already. Additional federal funding application for 49 more charging stations has also been submitted.
• Piloting Ontario’s first-ever carbon-negative bus that will not only displace approximately 36,000 litres of diesel emissions but also divert 450 tonnes of organic waste from landfills.
• Expanded sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation choices through the construction of 11 kilometres of new bicycle lanes and paved shoulders, upgraded 5.4 kilometres of existing bike lanes, implemented 25 ongoing cycling projects and installed 4.8 kilometres of multi-use trails.

Since 2019, the City has invested approximately $57 million directly towards its nine high-impact climate change goals. These included investments towards bicycling infrastructure, parks and forestry, vehicle electrification, corporate energy initiatives, storm flooding and the Bay Area’s Climate Change Council. As reflected in a 2019 community greenhouse gas inventory compared to the 2006 baseline, community-wide emissions have been reduced by approximately 33.4 per cent.

A Term of Council priority, investment in actions such as the mitigation of and adaptation to climate change will help to improve the health of Hamilton’s population. The City is committed to reducing community-wide greenhouse gas emissions 50 per cent by 2030 and achieving net-zero before 2050.

The City of Hamilton’s 2022 budgets will be presented to City Council between January through March 2022. Residents interested in the City’s 2022 budget process can monitor the City’s website for budget-focused GIC meetings, which are streamed via the City's website, the City's YouTube channel or via www.Cable14.com.