Adrienne Fedrigo

Over the past four years, I have contributed to climate action through both my personal choices and as Area Director. I live in a tiny home and have intentionally chosen a smaller footprint lifestyle that reduces energy use, material consumption, and overall environmental impact. I am also mindful of my water and electricity consumption and believe that individual actions can complement broader community efforts.

As an RDOS Director, I supported the adoption of the Solid Waste Management Plan, which focuses on reducing waste, increasing recycling, encouraging reuse, and diverting materials from the landfill. I have also been a strong supporter of local initiatives that promote a circular economy. One example is the Naramata Clothes Library, which encourages residents to donate, share, and reuse clothing rather than purchasing new items. I regularly use the Clothes Library myself and look there first before buying new clothing.

Beyond waste reduction, I have advocated for a Natural Asset Management Plan for Area E and, ultimately, the broader RDOS. Natural assets such as forests, wetlands, grasslands, and waterways provide essential services including water storage, flood mitigation, erosion control, biodiversity protection, and climate resilience. Recognizing and managing these assets as critical infrastructure can help communities adapt to climate change while reducing long-term costs.

I believe climate action should focus on practical, locally relevant solutions that protect our environment while supporting residents. Through waste reduction, water conservation, natural asset management, and sustainable living practices, I have worked to advance climate resilience and environmental stewardship within our community.

Transportation is a source of climate pollution in the RDOS, and I believe effective solutions are those that provide residents with practical alternatives to driving. Over the past four years as Area Director, I have advocated to BC Transit to revise the Route 10 schedule, so it better reflects the needs of students, workers, and residents. The current schedule does not adequately support before and after-school activities or many work schedules, which contributes to lower ridership. By improving service and aligning transit with how people actually travel, we encourage increased ridership, reduce vehicle use, and lower emissions.

I support investments in safe active transportation infrastructure. The Kettle Valley Rail (KVR) Trail is an important commuter and recreational corridor connecting communities throughout the region. I will continue advocating for a safe, well-maintained trail surface, conducive for cyclists and pedestrians. Safe walking and biking routes encourage more people to choose active transportation for daily trips.

As an Executive Board member of the Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA), I have advocated for a high-speed rail connection through the Okanagan Valley and have raised the concept with provincial leaders, including the Ministry of Transportation and Transit. I have also explored the feasibility of a passenger ferry across Okanagan Lake with BC Ferries. Together, enhanced transit, active transportation, rail service, and potential ferry connections would reduce reliance on Highway 97, cut emissions, improve regional connectivity, and provide residents with more affordable and sustainable transportation choices.

Over the past four years as Area Director, I have championed housing policies that expand affordability, increase housing choice, and support long-term climate resilience. I believe that people of all income levels should have access to safe, attainable housing, and that one housing model does not fit everyone's needs. Whether someone chooses a traditional home, a manufactured home, a tiny home, a yurt, or another innovative housing option, our land use policies need to provide reasonable opportunities for individual choices.

I have argued with RDOS planning staff to explore changes to land use bylaws that enable a greater variety of housing types. I am also participating in a national task group focused on Tiny Homes, helping advance removing regulatory barriers and influencing future National Building Code standards. I continue to advocate for alternative housing options, including innovative building approaches that can reduce costs while maintaining safety and livability.

My approach is centered on expanding housing diversity and creating pathways to homeownership that are attainable for residents. I support working with manufactured home builders to develop environmentally responsible, Part 9-compliant homes that can be constructed efficiently, use resources more effectively, and provide affordable housing opportunities.

Energy-efficient homes often consume fewer resources, cost less to operate, and have a reduced environmental footprint. By modernizing land use policies, supporting innovative housing solutions, and giving residents greater freedom to choose the housing option that fits their needs and budget, we can build communities that are more affordable, inclusive, and resilient to a changing climate.

Artificial intelligence data centres are an important topic of discussion, and any proposal would need to be evaluated carefully based on its impacts on our community, infrastructure, and natural resources. At this time, I would not support the development of an AI data centre in Electoral Area “E”.

AI data centres require significant amounts of electricity and, in many cases, substantial water resources for cooling. Given the existing demands on our local water supplies and electrical systems, our area currently does not have the capacity to support a large-scale facility without placing additional strain on critical resources that residents and businesses rely on.

I would also carefully consider the economic benefits compared to the impacts. While data centres can represent a major capital investment, they do not generate the number of long-term local jobs that other forms of commercial or industrial development can provide. Any proposal should demonstrate clear and lasting benefits for residents, not just short-term construction activity. Area “E” does not have the land available to accommodate a significant sized AI centre.

My approach is to prioritize developments that align with our community's long-term goals, protect local resources, and provide meaningful economic opportunities. If an AI data centre were proposed, I would review the evidence, consult with residents, local utilities, and technical experts, and ensure that any decision reflects both the environmental realities and the best interests of our community. Based on what we know, I would not support an AI data centre in the RDOS.

Within my term, I have focused on practical solutions that strengthen our community's resilience to wildfire, drought, and other climate-related risks. Wildfire preparedness remains a top priority. I will continue supporting the FireSmart program and advocating for provincial and local funding to ensure homeowners and communities have the resources needed to reduce wildfire risk. I also support working closely with Penticton Indian Band, the Province, and other partners to assess fuel loads on Crown land and incorporate cultural and traditional land management practices where appropriate.

Emergency preparedness is equally important. I have worked with the Ministry of Forests to improve information on backroads and alternative access routes so they can be relied upon during emergencies and evacuations. Understanding how people can safely leave and access communities during a crisis is critical to public safety.

Drought resilience is another significant challenge facing the RDOS. As a Director with the Okanagan Basin Water Board and the RDOS, I have advocated for exploring alternative wastewater technologies, including composting toilets and greywater reuse systems. We need to examine innovative approaches to water conservation and recognize that continuing with the status quo is not sustainable. I have also encouraged research into how drought-prone regions around the world are adapting to water shortages so we can learn from successful practices and apply them locally.

Building resilience requires collaboration, innovation, and long-term planning. My approach is to support proactive measures that protect residents, conserve water, strengthen emergency preparedness, and help our communities adapt to future climate-related challenges.

One initiative I would like to see explored is the creation of a reuse and salvage centre at or near the landfill. While the RDOS is fortunate to have several excellent thrift stores and organizations such as Habitat for Humanity operating throughout the region, these locations are not always convenient for residents who are already making a trip to the landfill. As a result, many reusable items are discarded simply because people do not have the time, capacity, or desire to transport them elsewhere.

A reuse facility located at the landfill would allow staff to identify and divert materials that still have value before they enter the waste stream. Furniture, building materials, tools, appliances, and other household items could be collected and made available for resale or reuse, extending their lifespan and reducing landfill volumes. Staff at such a facility could also evaluate specialty materials that may not fit the typical thrift store model but still have value to tradespeople, artists, or homeowners.

If a dedicated reuse building is not feasible, I would support partnerships with local thrift stores, Habitat for Humanity, and other community organizations to create a formal diversion program at the landfill. This would enable items to be sorted and recovered before disposal, reducing waste and increasing opportunities for reuse.

I budgeted for Naramata to do an Active Transportation plan and support beautifying the laneways as a safe active transport network; eventually connecting the KVR to the Naramata Village. I will continue to fund this community initiative.