Get in touch!
LIFE's office is in the Treehaus Collaborative Workspace, 260 King Street West, Kitchener, N2G 1B6.
Office hours are by chance or appointment. Please call us at 1-866-889-9155, or email info@lifecoop.ca, to schedule a visit.
Check out LIFE's new Facebook Page!
.Downloads
NEW!: LIFE's Draft Business Plan
Coming Events and Appearances
Come out and hear more about our work (and that of our friends)!
Watch here for upcoming events in the Spring of 2012.
Recent Appearances
January 10, 2012: LIFE Co-op and CREW co-hosted "Local Opportunities in Green Energy" at Kitchener City Hall. This presentation outlined existing and upcoming community renewable power initiatives and ways community members can get involved - including through investment in renewable energy projects - and the environmental, social and economic benefits available. Featured opportunities included LIFE Co-op's St Agatha Wind Project, CREW's Solar City Initiative, CREW's Solar City Co-op Project, and Guelph Solar Community Co-op.
November 28, 2011: LIFE and CREW co-hosted a public meeting on LOCAL RENEWABLE ENERGY OPPORTUNITIES at Kitchener City Hall.
November 23, LIFE held another community meeting at Angie's Kitchen in St Agatha. November 15, at the 11th Annual OSEA Community Power Conference, LIFE presented its project at the session on "Community Power Offerings". November 1-2, Montreal: Shane's presentation on community power was well received at Climate Action Network Canada's conference on provincial leadership in climate change and clean energy. LIFE's AGM was held October 26 at Angie's Kitchen in St Agatha. The AGM was preceded by a *public presentation from ENERCON*. October 22: LIFE's held its Annual Renewable Energy Tour! Tour participants visited a local biogas installation, a 10 kW solar array, and a biodiesel-powered pick-up. October 20: LIFE participated in a Co-op Biogas Workshop at the Holiday Inn, 510 Norwich St., Woodstock. Hosted by the Agrienergy Producers of Ontario and TREC(Toronto Renewable Energy Co-op). October 19: LIFE attended the 11th Annual Co-op Conference and Gala, hosted by On Co-op, at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington. Sept. 29, LIFE participated in an candidates' forum on environmental issues at Rockway Mennonite Church. A video recording of the event can be viewed at this Youtube link. Sept. 15, LIFE hosted the "Roadmap to Success": OSEA's Community Energy Information Session at City Hall in Kitchener. Sept. 6: LIFE Co-op held a community information meeting at Angie's Kitchen in St Agatha. August 27: Potatofest at the Laepple Organic Farm, 2298 Bleam's Road, 1-7pm. Linda Laepple is a founding director of LIFE Co-op. See http://laeppleorganic.ca/.
August 25: CREW Green Movie Night, featuring "Powerful: Energy for Everyone". LIFE Co-op shared information on the St Agatha Wind Project. August 14: LIFE's project manager discussed the co-op and the St Agatha wind project as part of "Get FIT: A Green Energy Act Information Session", held in Downtown Waterloo. The event was hosted by Waterloo PIRG and Reduce the Juice. July 20: Community Meeting at Angie's Kitchen, St Agatha. June 30: LIFE presented its project opportunities as part of the Climate Action Network's "Harvesting Clean Energy on Ontario Farms" Speaking Tour, at Ignatius Jesuit Centre, Hwy 6 North, Guelph February 14, 2011Press Releases
LIFE Co-op Receives CEPP Grant
for Wind Project
LIFE Sponsors and Partners
We wish to thank our supporters and partners for their contributions to LIFE:
Community Energy Partnerships Program (CEPP)
www.communityenergyprogram.ca
LIFE Co-op was recently awarded $166,710 as our first grant under the CEPP Program. This funding will enable us to 1) complete resource assessment and a site plan, 2) apply to the FIT program, 3) refine our business plan, 4) begin environmental studies, 4) pursue community engagement, including a membership drive, and 5) work on a number of other core activities in
the project.
This project has received funding support from the Ontario Power Authority through the Community Energy Partnerships Program. Such support does not indicate endorsement by the Ontario Power Authority or the Province of Ontario of the contents of this material.
The Co-operators
www.cooperators.ca
LIFE was recently granted $7,500 from The Co‐operators to enable us to complete the CEPP grant application, and to engage in community outreach.
Community Power Fund
www.cpFund.ca
LIFE Co-op received a $5,000 Prefeasibility grant from CPF and a $32,000 Feasibility grant to support the St. Agatha wind project.
Wellington-Waterloo Community Futures Development Corporation
The Wellington-Waterloo Community Futures Development Corporation (WWCFDC) is a federally supported not-for-profit organization, governed by volunteers in partnership with Industry Canada. The services provided by the WWCFDC exist to promote economic growth and community development of the Region of Waterloo and the County of Wellington. WWCFDC was able to loan the LIFE steering committee money, allowing them to become a cooperative and start the local wind resource assessment.
CREW
www.CrewZone.ca
Community Renewable Energy Waterloo is a local non-profit organization dedicated to making renewable energy accessible to the citizens of Waterloo Region. Our vision is to be a network of knowledgeable advocates, early adopters and interested citizens who initiate resource and support all local projects that encourage energy conservation and sustainable use of energy or materials from naturally regenerating sources, such as wind, solar and earth energy. CREW and LIFE have shared resources for many years, and CREW helps greatly with LIFE's public outreach.
Koenig & Consultants, Inc.
www.koenigconsultants.ca/
Koenig and Consultants, Inc., is a Toronto-based consulting firm specializing in renewable energy and life sciences industries. KCI is also involved in Toronto's ZooShare Co-operative. KCI is leading finance negotiations and assisting with business planning for LIFE.
Laepple Organic Farm
www.LocalOrganics.ca
Linda Laepple, LIFE President, along with her husband and children run an organic farm near Petersburg where organic beef and produce can be purchased, supporting a local food system. Energy conservation as well as recycling is a top priority at the farm. A solar hot water system provides a good portion of the domestic hot water for the farm house. A home made wind turbine, built from scrap material is spinning behind the farm charging batteries. The farm is host to students and interested apprentices from around the world, who come to get hands on experience about a more sustainable way of life.
Mindscape Innovations
www.mi-group.ca
Mindscape specializes in environmentally and technologically advanced homes and communities, and in realizing dreams from net zero and/or technically savvy “connected” homes, to private renewable energy projects for individuals, businesses, or communities. Mindscape's office space is shared with LIFE, which they are very grateful for.
Graybar Ontario
www.GraybarCanada.com
Graybar Canada, an employee-owned company, is a leading electrical and data/communication wholesale distributor serving Canada's commercial, industrial, communication, residential, oil & gas and utility markets.
Graybar Ontario hands out energy efficient light bulbs in bulk to be handed out and installed at office spaces and homes. They provided LIFE co-op with these light bulbs to hand out at local events.
Wilmot Centre Missionary Church
www.WilmotCentremc.ca
The Wilmot Centre Missionary Church, has provided the LIFE Board of Directors with meeting room space for the past two years.
Teddy's Bakery
Teddy's Bakery in Baden is a small town restaurant and bakery. They have been a valued sponsor of LIFE during the crucial beginning aiding with general startup fees.
Stitch Graphix
www.StitchGraphix.com
Stitch Graphix Inc. in New Hamburg is a custom embroidery, laser engraving and company promotiona business. They have helped us by creating stationery and other items bearing the LIFE logo.
McDougall Signs
www.mcdsigns.com
McDougall Signs and Graphics Inc. is a custom sign manufacturing studio operating in Waterloo, Ontario since 1970. Jim Cappleman, owner and manager, was a member of the original steering committee that is now known as LIFE. Jim designed the LIFE logo and helped build the privately owned wind turbine located on Sandhills Road in Wilmot Township.