2012

Fuel cells to change the future of the energy industry

The world is moving to a lower carbon footprint and Canadians can expect to see significant changes to the energy industry and development of natural resources over the next 10 to 30 years.

Speaking to a packed room at Silvertip Golf Course on Sept. 13, Guy Turcotte, chairman, president and CEO of Stone Creek Resorts, highlighted this point and outlined for members of BOWDA and other guests the future of hydrogen as an energy source and its relevance to individuals and municipalities.

Turcotte, who previously founded oil companies Chauvco Resources Ltd. and Western Oil Sands Inc., the latter of which was sold to Marathon Oil Corporation in 2007 for an estimated $6.6 billion, is now chairman of Western Hydrogen, a Calgary-based company dedicated to the development and commercialization of hydrogen manufacturing technology. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

More transparency for Alberta’s governing bodies

The provincial government is making strides to be more transparent in how its politicians are spending taxpayer dollars in hopes of influencing municipal members to do the same.

In Canmore, however, that has already begun with the detailed online publication of the contract given to the Town’s chief administrative officer, Lisa de Soto, after she was hired this past July.

The issue of providing all details online was somewhat contentious when the public learned former CAO Don Kochan was paid out over $400,000 after leaving the position in November, 2011. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Tougher penalties in place for drinking and driving

Impaired driving is often cited as the largest single criminal cause of death in Canada and tougher penalties introduced by Alberta Transportation aim to curb that, however, the legislation has its fair share of critics.

On Sept. 1, the second stage of the modification surrounding Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act laws came into effect – which provides tougher penalties handed out to those caught driving with a blood alcohol level of between .05 and .08.

Under the new legislation, drivers face a three-day licence suspension and vehicle seizure if they blow between .05 and the legal limit, as opposed to a 24-hour suspension that has been in place since 1999. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

No cap set on licences for taxi companies

Canmore council has decided to maintain the taxi bylaw in its current form and not put a cap on the number of future cab businesses it issues licences to.

A motion by Mayor John Borrowman to maintain the status quo passed unanimously among council at its meeting on Tuesday (Sept. 18) following a request from the Canmore Association of Taxi Cab Owners (CATCO) to limit the number of future cab companies the town grants licences to.

In its letter request to council in April, CATCO, which is comprised of six cab companies operating within Canmore, stated that it’s difficult to plan, operate and hire new staff when there is no restriction to limit the number of cab companies allowed to operate. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Black bear moved out of the valley

A black bear spotted in multiple backyards near Elk Run Boulevard last weekend has been relocated out of the valley after it was tranquilized by Fish and Wildlife officers.

Around 16 calls were received on Saturday (Sept. 15) of a bear, which was brown in colour and originally mistaken as a grizzly, seen roaming backyards and eating fruit from trees, predominately crab apple trees.

“It was going from yard to yard, deck to deck,” said Fish and Wildlife Officer Dave Dickson. “It was obviously habituated to fruit trees. The guys were one step behind that bear for most of the day.” Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Speed traps to continue in Bow Valley

A total of 434 motorists travelling in the Bow Valley were charged with speeding over the Labour Day weekend and police say they will continue to be aggressive in their enforcement over the next few weeks.

Throughout August, 2,096 people were charged with speeding, compared to 770 charged in July. Speeding enforcement efforts were part of a promise members of the Bow Valley Integrated Traffic Unit (BVITU) made to catch those driving too fast. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Prescribed fire projects set to commence in K-Country

Four prescribed fire projects are set to commence in the Kananaskis area over the next few weeks, as long as weather and on-the-ground forest conditions provide the appropriate circumstances.

The four initiatives include the Buller Creek prescribed fire, McLean Creek research prescribed fire, the Boundary Douglas-fir restoration project and the Old Baldy project, according to an update provided by Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD).

“With these prescribed fires what we’re looking for is for it to increase diversity in habitat,” said Geoffrey Driscoll, a wildfire information officer. “When you don’ t have a fire in a landscape and there hasn’t been wildfires for a long time, then you get a forest that’s old.” Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Slàinte: Canmore Highland Games draws a big crowd

Canmore’s Sally Garen from the Three Sisters Scottish Festival Society at the Massed Pipes & Drums closing ceremony last Sunday (Sept. 2)

As the last pipe bands marched off the field to the tune of “Alba an Aigh” (Scotland the Brave), thousands of spectators in attendance paused to let the hairs on the back of their neck recede and celebrate the end of the day events at the 22nd annual Canmore Highland Games.

With a sun-soaked morning and afternoon filled with heavy sports such as the sheaf toss, colourful regalia worn by highland dancers and pipe and drum bands from across Western Canada, the event at Centennial Park last Sunday (Sept. 2) was another success. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Spray Lakes Road safer says Alberta Transportation

Following a safety review conducted last year, Alberta Transportation is confident the appropriate measures are now in place to reduce the risk of accidents and collisions on Spray Lakes Road.

On Dec. 30, 2010, three people died when the driver of an SUV lost control of a vehicle that rolled into Goat Pond, which is on the “unimproved” section of Spray Lakes Road.

The tragic accident triggered a full review of the road to address concerns regarding its safety and suggested improvements to reduce collisions. Since then, signage improvements and barriers along some sections of the road have been installed. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Locals have their say in ‘big ride’

Despite a power outage, heavy traffic and a course change at the last moment, the overall impression both local residents and businesses owners delivered about the inaugural RBC GranFondo Banff event last weekend was positive.

On Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 28), organizers of the “big ride” held a public debriefing to hear feedback about the first GranFondo Canada event held solely within a national park.

Prior to the ride taking place, several environmental concerns were raised about the impact on wildlife as the planned 142-kilometre course ventured along roads typically inhabited by bears at this time of year. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.