Feds aim to increase energy efficiency with $1-billion incentives

On August 12, 2003, Prime Minister Jean Chretien announced an incentive program to encourage Canadians to improve energy efficiency in their homes and businesses. Under the Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change, Canada has committed to reduce 240 megatonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This is the announced spending allocation for about $1-billion of the $1.7-billion the government promised in February with regard to Kyoto measures:

 $131.4-million to coax consumers to be more energy efficient — including a $74-million program offering rebates of as much as $1,000 for Canadians to retrofit their homes;
 $320.7-million to fund partnerships with provinces, municipalities, and aboriginal governments that cut emissions;
 $302.9-million for businesses to cut GHG output in areas such as buildings and the transportation sector; and,
 $250-million to finance the development of new technology to reduce GHGs even further.

The burning of fossil fuels such as coal and gas is a primary source of GHGs. Under the new funding, Canada’s fuel-cell sector will receive $130-million to develop the hydrogen-powered economy.

(See the Cover Story in the August/September edition for further information about energy efficiency and renewable energy sources.)