News Release
HRM To Improve Energy Efficiency With EcoNova Scotia Funding
(Monday, October 20/08) - Halifax Regional Municipality will vastly improve energy efficiency in eleven of its buildings, thanks in part to $550,000 in funding from the provincial government's EcoNova Scotia for Clean Air and Climate Change program. The upgrades will see greenhouse gas emissions reduced by 42 per cent and annual cost savings of $222,000 through reductions in electricity and oil use for the buildings.
"I am very proud of our efforts to date to create greener, healthier communities, infrastructure, programs and services, but there is always more we can do; HRM is constantly striving to be one of the most sustainable municipalities in Canada," said Mayor Peter Kelly. "We are very pleased that the province shares our philosophy and we certainly appreciate EcoNova Scotia's support in helping us reach our goals."
Nova Scotia Environment Minister Mark Parent announced the funding today at the Power of Green Conference, "HRM is showing good environmental leadership with this project, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and investing their energy savings in future environmental projects," said Minister Parent.
The eleven targeted buildings represent ten per cent of HRM's overall building energy use. The upgrades, which will be completed by 2010, include lighting retrofits, insulation upgrades, boiler/heating system upgrades (including natural gas conversions), direct digital control energy management upgrades, retro-commissioning activities, and window replacements. The total cost of the retrofits will be $1.4 million.
An important goal of the projects is to create an energy efficiency "piggy bank."
"HRM will set-up a savings account to ‘capture' the substantial energy savings we will achieve by implementing these improvements," explained Mayor Kelly. "This piggy-banked money will then be used to fund future efficiency projects."
An integrated systems approach to clean air, land, water and energy is helping HRM deliver on its corporate sustainability priorities, including fostering a green corporate culture, green buildings and green procurement. HRM's Community Energy Plan provides a holistic view of how regional energy needs can be met with cleaner energy sources and more efficient use of energy.
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Cathie O'Toole
Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management
490-4825 (office); 476-7715 (cell)
Mayor Kelly
490-4010
