July 3, 2018
Are you up to the solar challenge?
Oxford County is asking residents: are you up to the solar challenge? The County is launching the Solar Oxford Challenge, an initiative that encourages up to 16 local residents or businesses to achieve net-zero electricity by reducing their electricity consumption and installing solar photovoltaic (PV) panels to offset remaining energy usage. Oxford County's Solar Oxford Challenge will award up to $1,000 to each participant that achieves net-zero electricity within one year. Learn more about the Solar Oxford Challenge.
June 6, 2018
Update on Smart Cities Challenge submission
Oxford County has learned that its submission to Infrastructure Canada's Smart Cities Challenge, in partnership with all eight area municipalities, has not advanced to the finalist round. Learn more about the County's Smart Cities Challenge application.
March 20, 2018
International Renewable Energy Academy returning to Oxford County
The second annual International Renewable Energy Academy (IREA) is coming back to Oxford County and is offering a free presentation on how communities can work together to achieve their sustainable energy goals. For more information, visit the IREA website or see the newsroom posting
June 16, 2017
International Renewable Energy Academy coming to Oxford
York University’s International Renewable Energy Academy (IREA) will be hosted by several Oxford County sites next week. The academy, which focuses on experiential learning, will be using Oxford County (Ontario’s first community committed to achieving 100% renewable energy) as a model of community-based renewable energy project development. Residents with an interest in renewable energy can join the County-hosted portion June 21-23, or attend a public event on June 22 at the Woodstock Art Gallery. For more information, visit the IREA website or see the newsroom posting.
February 22, 2017
Community invited to learn more about "everyday energy"
Oxford County Library in Ingersoll is hosting an information session on “Everyday Energy,” an informal drop-in session and community panel designed to help people move to greener energy options. There is no cost to attend and people of all ages are invited to attend.
Fall 2016
The Art of Sustainable Energy
The Woodstock Art Gallery and Oxford County partnered in the fall of 2016 on “The Art of Sustainable Energy,” a program featuring art that explores and responds to environmental themes such as nature, conservation, and renewable energy. A total of 450 grade 5 and 6 students from 10 schools across Oxford County took part. Shown here: Hickson Central Public School students from grades 5 to 7.
August 29, 2016
Doors open to Oxford’s green energy systems
Oxford County, Future Oxford, Smart Energy Oxford and the Oxford Community Energy Cooperative are partnering for this year's Green Energy Doors Open event to present the Oxford County Renewable Energy Gateway, a guided bus tour of four local renewable energy technologies. Hourly bus tours depart between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. from the Tesla Super Chargers at the Quality Inn & Suites on Saturday, September 10, 2016.
Read the news release | Download the tour map
July 5, 2016
Oxford County's plan to realize 100% RE by 2050 noted by World Future Council
In a blog for World Future Council, Anna Leidreiter takes a comprehensive look at how the framework was laid for the Draft 100% Renewable Energy Plan.
Read the blog.
June 22, 2016
Oxford releases Draft 100% Renewable Energy Plan for public review and comment
One year after a unanimous decision by County Council to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2050, Oxford County is releasing its Draft 100% Renewable Energy Plan to the community.
The original June 24, 2015, motion put forward by Woodstock Mayor and County Councillor Trevor Birtch, placed Oxford as the first municipal government in Ontario to commit to a renewable energy target and only the second in Canada after Vancouver, BC. Now, the Draft 100% Renewable Energy Plan lays out a framework for how community, business, government, academic, national and international partners can work together to support Oxford in becoming a “100% RE” community. When fully developed, the plan will also include specific targets, milestones and actions.
Read the full release.
Members of the community can read the Draft Plan and submit their questions, comments and feedback over the next 60 days at www.oxfordcounty.ca/speakup.
February 24, 2016
Oxford County recognized in Kassel Report for making the commitment to 100% renewable energy
In November 2015, Oxford County Warden David Mayberry and Smart Energy Oxford Co-Chair Jay Heaman took part in the Kassel International Dialogue on 100% Renewable Energy. This two-day event gave government representatives from around the globe an opportunity to learn from each other and advance the “100% RE” agenda. Check out Oxford County in the Outcome Report on page 14.
100% Renewables Outcome Report: Kassel International Dialogue on 100% Renewable Energy (Feb 2016)
February 10, 2016
Becoming a fully accessible EV community
Creating a network of electric vehicle charging stations is a priority for Oxford County Council. On February 10, County Council supported the Oxford Electric Vehicle Accessibility Plan, allowing for the submission of an application to Ontario's Electric Vehicle Chargers Ontario (EVCO) program. If implemented, the Oxford Electric Vehicle Accessibility Plan will transform Oxford into a fully accessible EV community.
Read more about the EVCO program application.
June 24, 2015
Oxford County commits to 100% renewable energy by 2050
Motion sets County as the first municipality in Ontario to commit to a 100% renewable energy target. Read full news story here