Banff closes doors for environmental protection
Businesses in the Town of Banff will be keeping their doors closed in the winter to save energy and reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced in the community.
Some businesses tend to prop their doors open, even in the winter, to encourage customers to enter their establishment. This results in heat loss, and increased energy requirements. While air curtains have been used by some as an alternative to a closed door – and they do reduce losses compared to an open door – a closed door is a much more energy efficient solution.
Council voted in favour of changes to the Community Standards Bylaw that will require businesses to keep their doors shut the Tuesday after Thanksgiving Day until the last Friday in April, except when temperatures rise above +10C (as noted by the Environment Canada Banff Weather Station).
The Town of Banff strives to be a model environmental community and a model of sustainable tourism, and this is one visible way to help combat climate change by reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions.
One of the tactics highlighted in the Strategic Plan is to implement policies and public education to effect more responsible and efficient energy use in Banff. Alignment of commercial regulations with this strategy will help to achieve the community climate action targets of 30% reduction in greenhouse emissions below 2016 levels by 2030. This move helps implement Council goals locally, while inspiring visitors from around the globe.
The Town will notify businesses of this change and implement an education-first approach to enforcement. There will, however, be a fine of $150 per occurrence for those that do not follow the bylaw.