Keele Reservoir Feasibility for Heating and Cooling at York University - by Councillor Anthony Perruzza, seconded by Councillor James Pasternak

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The decision

2023-05-10 · Toronto City Council · adopted

As filed

City Council on May 10, 11 and 12, 2023, adopted the following: 1. City Council request the General Manager, Toronto Water, in consultation with the Executive Director, Environment and Climate, to provide York University with the technical information required for York University to study at its expense the feasibility of using the Keele Reservoir for heating and/or cooling buildings at York University's Keele Campus, subject to the City of Toronto and York University first entering into a Toronto Water Asset Geodatabase User Agreement or similar agreement to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor.

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2. City Council direct the General Manager, Toronto Water, in consultation with Executive Director, Environment and Climate, and subject to York University receiving encouraging results from the feasibility study, to report back to City Council through the Infrastructure and Environment Committee in the fourth quarter of 2023, or as soon as possible, with the impacts of construction, if any, on the sport club tenants using the site and recommended next steps to advance the project in a coordinated manner taking into account the operational needs of Toronto Water, the activities of the sport club tenants and proposal as envisioned by York University.

On the agenda

As the city filed it

York University is currently exploring the potential of utilizing the City's Keele Reservoir to facilitate a renewable thermal energy project. The proposed project would involve the exchange of thermal energy between the reservoir and the York University Keele Campus district energy system, which would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from York University's buildings and reduce overall campus electricity demand. Leveraging municipal assets for climate action supports implementation of the TransformTO Net Zero Strategy and aligns with the Green Will initiative, which is a City program that seeks to accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from buildings in Toronto.

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Buildings are the largest source of emissions in Toronto today, generating more than half of all local emissions. Through the Green Will Initiative, the City will assist participants like York University as they aim to achieve net-zero emissions. York University will undertake a feasibility study of heating and cooling potential at its own expense. City staff will disclose relevant technical information, subject to York University entering into the standard Toronto Water Asset Geodatabase User Agreement, which establishes terms and conditions for the use of this information. Following completion of the study, and if results support a potential project, City staff will report back to City Council through the Infrastructure and Environment Committee with further details about the project and recommended next steps to facilitate its implementation. This Motion is urgent as York University is ready to study and move ahead with implementing these works and we want them to progress as soon as they are able, in line with the City's environment and climate priorities.

Staff recommended

Councillor Anthony Perruzza, seconded by Councillor James Pasternak, recommends that: 1. City Council request the General Manager, Toronto Water, in consultation with the Executive Director, Environment and Climate, to provide York University with the technical information required for York University to study at its expense the feasibility of using the Keele Reservoir for heating and/or cooling buildings at York University's Keele Campus, subject to the City of Toronto and York University first entering into a Toronto Water Asset Geodatabase User Agreement or similar agreement to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor.

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2. City Council direct the General Manager, Toronto Water, in consultation with Executive Director, Environment and Climate, and subject to York University receiving encouraging results from the feasibility study, to report back to City Council through the Infrastructure and Environment Committee in the fourth quarter of 2023 or as soon as possible with the impacts of construction, if any, on the sport club tenants using the site and recommended next steps to advance the project in a coordinated manner taking into account the operational needs of Toronto Water, the activities of the sport club tenants and proposal as envisioned by York University.

On the record

The item as the City filed it

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