Courtesy: Bob Schneider

By Darren Rathwell

Medicine Hat’s new mayor says electric utility, city hall responsiveness are priorities

Nov 2, 2021 | 6:03 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — As Medicine Hat’s new mayor sets to work on her first term, planning for the future of the city’s electric utility is top of mind, along with increased responsiveness from city hall to the needs of residents.

“We can probably retain the value (of the electric utility). What’s happening right now is we’re going through an energy transition so that poses risks to the value of our assets,” Linnsie Clark told CHAT News.

Clark says long-term planning for potential changes to the city’s energy portfolio should get underway immediately.

“What are the benefits of having a natural gas-generated utility. There are lots, it’s a cleaner-burning fossil fuel, but what risks are coming at us, ” Clark said, adding, ” So (there’s) going to be integrating some renewables into our asset mix, looking at net zero, but I’m obviously not the expert at that. We do need to draw on that expertise and make sure we are fortifying the value of our assets.”

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The city’s energy and infrastructure department has also recently noted the city’s energy mix has been under examination.

Meanwhile, Clark says it’s important to fulfill her campaign promise of a more accountable city council.

“We heard very loudly that people want better governance. So that’s transparency, accountability, public participation, (and) responsiveness. That‘s going to be a key thing going forward. We’re going to have to weave that through everything we do as a council moving forward.”

As for how responsiveness to Hatter’s concerns will be addressed, she mentions a few ideas.

“I anticipate (council’s reaching out) is going to be through a stronger social media presence, as well as doing more town halls.. more engagement where people have the opportunity to interact with councillors,” Clark said.

Social issues also have the mayor’s attention.

“We have a number of issues in this city with housing insecurity, mental health issues, and of course substance usage issues. We want to collaborate with our community to help solve some of those issues or at least make progress towards some solutions,” Clark added.

” (We want to) engage the community in our decision making, and of course we want to be more collaborative, or increase the quality of our relationships with other levels of government as well.”