$100,000 Brings Energy Efficiency To More Communities

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
2007EMPR0018-000399
April 5, 2007

Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources

VICTORIA – An additional $100,000 in funding will bring the number of communities involved in the Community Action on Energy Efficiency (CAEE) program to 37, well over halfway to the goal of having 50 communities engaged in energy efficiency by 2010, announced Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Minister Richard Neufeld.

“Making more British Columbia communities energy efficient is part of our commitment in the BC Energy Plan and helps ensure our role as a leader in clean energy,” said Neufeld. “This program has already made a difference in 30 communities and extending it will bring lower energy costs and better air quality to even more areas of the province.”The new funding will enable the Fraser Basin Council, which has led delivery of the CAEE program since early 2006, to expand its work with communities to advance energy efficiency. The CAEE program was previously funded through the Federal Opportunities Envelope that expired on March 31, 2007. The $100,000 in funding from the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources will extend the CAEE program from April 1, 2007 to March 31, 2008.

“We’ve already seen exciting developments across B.C. in both the public and private sector through the first stages of this program,” said Charles Jago, chair of the Fraser Basin Council. “The strength of the CAEE funding is that it helps local government and First Nations drive forward the projects they see as serving their communities best.”

The funds will be used to engage an additional seven communities in the CAEE program, support existing CAEE communities with customized policy and planning expertise, facilitate building labelling projects in three communities and complete energy efficiency planning seminars, manuals and workshops.

The CAEE program promotes community leadership in achieving energy efficiency improvements in buildings and provides direct policy and technical support to local governments. Involved communities develop energy efficiency programs specific to their needs and policies.

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Media contact:

Jake Jacobs
Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Energy, Mines and
250 952-0628
250 213-6934 (cell)