A new provincial agency in Alberta will soon offer programs for schools, institutions, businesses and homes to lower their carbon footprint. This agency – Energy Efficiency Alberta – is still in its infancy but it means Alberta schools will have another source for financial incentives.
Environment Minister Shannon Phillips spoke at the Alberta Energy Efficiency Alliance conference in Edmonton on Jan. 17, 2017 about the mandate of this new agency and gave some insights into what it will offer.
“Efficiency programs will provide small and large businesses, not-for-profits and institutions with various strategies to lower their costs and their emissions,” said Phillips.
“Energy efficiency represents good value for Albertans’ money. It creates about 50 jobs for every $1 million invested. It creates new businesses and it builds a new industry.”
Alberta taking note of other provinces
Although the agency and its programs are still a work in progress, Phillips explained the programs will consider energy efficiency successes and failures from similar programs already implemented in other provinces. By learning from the experience of other jurisdictions, the Alberta government hopes to match and surpass other provinces in energy efficiency in a few years.
“Alberta should always be leading, never following,” said Phillips.
From British Columbia to Nova Scotia, provincial energy efficiency programs – which include rebates, incentives, education and public sector leadership – have existed for years in some jurisdictions. Energy Efficiency Alberta is a new agency but not a new concept.
Energy Efficiency Alberta is still being formed
Programs are set to begin in early 2017, although no exact dates have been announced. Three initial programs are being developed – two for residential properties and one program for institutions (including schools), businesses and not-for-profits.
Schools will be able to receive rebates
One of the first Energy Efficiency Alberta programs will offer financial incentives for institutions (including schools), not-for-profits and businesses for installing high-efficiency products. There will be a comprehensive list of eligible products, including lighting, water heating, occupancy controls and HVAC technologies. Each product will have a fixed per-unit rebate. The program is expected to begin in Spring 2017.
Focus on residential properties
The other two programs will be:
- Residential no-cost energy savings – homeowners and rental properties can receive the complete installation of low-cost energy saving products, such as new lightbulbs and water faucets. All labour and product costs will be covered.
- Rebates for residential energy efficient products – rebates in-store or mail-in for products including appliances, windows, lights and insulation.
More programs are expected at a later date
The initial programs were developed for rapid implementation. Future offerings will expand on the first three programs (such as adding eligible products to the rebate program) and will target specialized markets within the province.
Recommendations for schools
Submitted by an advisory panel, the report Getting It Right: A More Energy Efficient Alberta details the opportunities of provincial efficiency programs and outlines the proposed approach. Education was highlighted as a key for success for the new programs.
“Case studies affirmed consumer education is the biggest factor in achieving success with energy efficiency programs,” said the report.
“Extending this approach to the formal education system itself will arm future generations with a deeper understanding of energy efficiency and its benefits, and it will make them ambassadors for responsible energy use.”
It is recommended that Energy Efficiency Alberta collaborate with schools to review existing curriculum, encourage innovative learning and implement energy-saving initiatives in school facilities.
Innovative financing opportunities for the future
Alberta schools can finance energy efficiency projects at a low interest rate if the energy savings are guaranteed by a third party, most often energy service companies. The report recommended not only continuing the use of performance contracts, but also expanding the financing option to other public sector facilities for energy efficiency upgrades.
Rede offers independent measurement and verification services to give school districts flexibility in selecting government financing. We are both an alternative and complement to the traditional financing approaches by energy service companies. Our third-party tracking can help Alberta school districts secure grants without lengthy contracts or review proposed and existing performance contracts.