October 2024 EAC Minutes
| Meeting date: | October 17, 2024 | Meeting time: | 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
| Location: | Microsoft Teams | Prepared by: | Brenden McBain |
| In attendance: | Wendy Avis Brenden McBain Jaqueline Hunter Bijan Pourarimi Jessica Low Babak Behnia Olive Hui Morgan Guerin Taylor Groenewoud Erin Weckworth |
YVR, Climate and Environment – Chair YVR, Climate and Environment City of Vancouver City of Vancouver Citizen Rep Transport Canada City of Richmond City of Richmond Citizen Rep Musqueam Indian Band / YVR Environment and Climate Change Canada Fraser Basin Council |
|
| Guests/Presenters: | Levi Higgs Salia Arabian Simon Robinson |
YVR, Climate and Environment YVR, Engineering Projects YVR, Climate and Environment |
|
| Regrets: | Shelina Sidi Myrka Manzo Eddie Uyeda Rene McKibbin Hayley Hoikka |
Metro Vancouver Air Canada Transport Canada Canadian Wildlife Service (ECCC) City of Vancouver |
|
| Secretary: | Brenden McBain | YVR, Climate and Environment | |
Meeting Minutes
1. Introductions & Welcome
Wendy welcomed the committee and shared the meeting etiquette. Wendy acknowledged that YVR is on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam people and the importance of the 30-year agreement in place to support our relationship. Wendy welcomed members, ran through the meeting agenda, and encouraged participants to share their comments and questions as well as taking breaks throughout the meeting.
Wendy introduced Victoria Li and Natasha Fisher, two co-op students who will be working with the team on sustainable business and energy management respectively until May 2025. Wendy also thanked Jaqueline Hunter and Jessica Low, who were standing in on behalf of their respective organizations.
2. Review of previous minutes
No comments or questions were raised regarding the draft meeting minutes from the May 5, 2024, meeting. As such they will be adopted as final and posted at yvr.ca in English and French. There were no action items from the meeting.
3. Airport Authority Updates
Wendy updated the committee on the busy summer period up over 6% from the prior year and busier than even 2019. Winners of the 2024 Fly Quite awards, a noise reduction initiative to reduce potential community noise impacts, were announced. WestJet Encore, Porter Airlines, and Qantas, for their efforts in reducing noise levels.Wendy announced the formation of an Energy Advisory Council and an MOU with Airbus and ZeroAvia to study hydrogen infrastructure at the airport, aiming for the first hydrogen aircraft by 2035.
October was Circulate Economy Month as well as Waste Reduction week. Wendy discussed the airport's waste reduction initiatives, including a green talk, a Project Green YVR tenant engagement initiative, on food waste reduction and the use of an on-site composter, noting that we’ve seen doubled the volume of organics processed.
4. 2023 Strategic Energy Management and Net Zero Projects at YVR
Levi Higgs provided the annual update on energy management projects at YVR to the committee, including the strategic energy management plan, recent energy trends, and key projects like boiler replacements and building controls upgrades.Several questions were raised by the committee including if the Airport Authority had a map of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure, if there was charging near the outlet mall, and how we were tackling it in general. Levi highlighted the electrical master planning work underway and highlighted areas where it’s a focus such as in the parking areas, the outlet mall, and cell phone waiting lots.
5. Update on Development Projects at YVR
Simon gave an overview of ongoing and upcoming development projects at YVR, including the North Runway lighting upgrades, MacArthur Glen expansion, and the Northlands enabling works.
Salia presented the South Airport Cargo Development program, detailing the construction of new taxiways, apron expansion, and the realignment of Inglis Drive, with a completion target of 2027 to align with supporting funding for the project.
6. Round Table and Discussion
Erin from Fraser Basin Council shared updates on new team members and upcoming zero emissions fleet vehicle events.
Brenden provided updates from Rene, who was unable to join at the last minute, on restoration work and invasive species management in the Sea Island Conservation Area. Brenden also updated on ongoing work for signage updates within the Sea Island Conservation Area along Ferguson Road and Barn Owl nest boxes which were planned to be installed soon.
Babak from the City of Richmond discussed ongoing updates to the city's official community plan, particularly regarding environmentally sensitive areas (ESA) mapping and its implications for future development. A brief discussion between Simon and Babak came up around aligning mapping and classifications around Sea Island as well as reviewing work planned for planting and restoration along the dike updates. The two agreed to follow up offline.
Jessica from Transport Canada mentioned that the remediation work for Lot S30, in the south terminal area, is imminent, with Eddie coordinating the exact dates and contacting the airport for further details.
7. Upcoming Meetings
Wendy proposed new meeting dates for 2025, suggesting February 6th, May 15th, and October 16th, to better align with the airport's reporting schedule and annual public meeting.
- Thursday February 6th 1-3 pm
- Thursday May 15th 1-3 pm
- Thursday Oct 16th 1-3 pm
- Summer tour – TBD
Next Meeting Date: Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 1 p.m.