County of Brant invites community to help shape its energy future

The County of Brant is taking steps to better understand how energy is used across the community and explore opportunities to make energy use more efficient, affordable, and sustainable for the future.

The County is developing a Community Energy Plan to look at how electricity, natural gas and other energy sources are used in homes, businesses, farms, transportation and municipal operations. The plan will help identify opportunities to save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and explore renewable and lower-carbon energy options that make sense for Brant.

As the County continues to grow, planning for future energy needs is becoming increasingly important.

“Energy plays an important role in our everyday lives, from heating our homes and running businesses to supporting farms and delivering municipal services,” said County of Brant General Manager of Strategic Initiatives, Adam Crozier. “As our community grows, we want to better understand our energy needs and identify practical opportunities that will benefit Brant today and into the future. This plan will help us make informed decisions and work with our partners to prepare for what's ahead.”

Why is the County developing a Community Energy Plan?

Energy affects everyone, whether it's the cost of heating a home, operating a business, running farm equipment or providing essential community services.

While the County can influence energy use through municipal operations, infrastructure, planning and partnerships, it does not control energy supply, pricing or utility expansion. The Community Energy Plan will not extend natural gas lines or other utility services, as these decisions are made by energy providers and are subject to provincial regulations.

The Community Energy Plan will help the County:

• Better understand how energy is currently used across Brant.
• Identify opportunities to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption.
• Explore renewable energy and lower-carbon options.
• Consider future energy needs as the community grows.
• Identify practical actions the County and its partners can take to support a more efficient and sustainable energy future.

The plan builds on the County's Climate Action Plan, approved by Council in November 2024, and will help identify practical opportunities to support the community's energy future.

“Before we can identify the best opportunities for Brant, we need to understand how our community uses energy and what options are available,” said County of Brant’s Climate Action Specialist, Rebecca Szczepanowski. “Over the coming months, we'll be sharing information about energy in Brant, including where it comes from, how we use it and the different ways we can improve efficiency. We also want to hear from the people who live and work here. Their experiences and feedback will help us develop a plan that reflects our community.”

How can the community get involved?

The County is starting with an education and awareness campaign to help residents learn more about energy in Brant and the purpose of the Community Energy Plan.

From October 2026 through January 2027, the County will share information about energy use, conservation, renewable energy and the different roles involved in energy planning.

Public engagement will begin in February 2027, giving residents, businesses, farmers and community organizations opportunities to share their experiences, priorities and ideas.

Here's how the community can participate:

1. Learn and stay informed. Visit EngageBrant.ca/CEP to learn about energy in our community, explore project details, and subscribe for updates about upcoming opportunities to get involved.
2. Share your thoughts. Beginning in February 2027, take part in public engagement activities to help identify local energy priorities, challenges and opportunities.
3. Follow the progress. Stay connected as the County reviews feedback, explores potential actions, and develops the Community Energy Plan.

Community feedback, along with energy data, technical research and input from utilities and other partners, will help inform the plan and its recommended actions. 

To learn more and subscribe for updates, visit EngageBrant.ca/CEP.