Energy rebates on the horizon for Albertans
Funded by carbon tax revenues and delivered by new Alberta Energy Efficiency agency
The province has launched an agency that will deliver energy efficiency programs to Alberta homes, businesses and communities starting early next year.
The Alberta Energy Efficiency agency was created by the NDP as part of its Climate Leadership Plan. Rebate programs doled out by the agency will by funded by the carbon tax, set to take effect Jan. 1, 2017.
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"Energy efficiency is one of the absolute, no-brainer things you can do because you will pay no carbon tax on the energy you save in the future," David Dodge, the chair of the new agency, told the Calgary Eyeopener.
Peter Love, who was involved with implementing all the rebate programs in Ontario, also sits on the agency's board of directors.
The first three energy efficiency programs to be rolled out in the New Year are as follows:
- Through the Direct Install Residential Program, Albertans can have low-cost energy efficiency products such as lighting, water fixtures and heating components installed for free in their home. "This is a program that's well tested and it's been done in other jurisdictions," Dodge said.
- The Residential Consumer Products Program will offer rebates to residential customers at retail outlets on energy efficient lighting, insulation and appliances.
- The Business, Non-Profit and Institutional Rebate Program will offer incentives for high-efficiency products and installation of electric and gas-based products such as lighting, heating and cooling systems and hot water systems.
Until now, Alberta was the only jurisdiction in Canada without energy efficiency programming.
"Alberta is late to this game, but know that offering energy efficiency programs will reduce energy costs for consumers," said Alberta Environment Minister Shannon Phillips at an announcement on Thursday in Edmonton.
She said the fact that Alberta is getting on board later than other jurisdictions is actually to the province's benefit because it can research what energy efficiency programs worked, and didn't work, across the country.
The province plans to invest $650-million over the next five years in energy efficiency.
With files from the Calgary Eyeopener