Energy Conservation Week - May 25-31, 2008
MARKHAM, ON, May 29 /CNW/ - A new program designed to support effective,
money-saving energy conservation measures for small businesses started its
transition from pilot project to full-scale operation here today as part of
Ontario's first Energy Conservation Week.
The "Power Savings Blitz" provides free electricity assessments, as well
as turn-key lighting and water heating retrofits for small commercial
businesses with electricity usage of less than 50 kilowatts (kW) of annual
demand. Funding of up to $1,000 is provided for the retrofit and covers both
materials and labour; businesses may pay costs above that limit if they
choose.
The program, funded by the Ontario Power Authority (OPA), will be
launched through participating local electricity distribution companies (LDCs)
in regions across the province later this summer. It made its debut at the
site of one of the pilot project participants, the Sunshine Lake Childcare
Centre, with the participation of Ontario Minister of Energy Gerry Phillips,
senior representatives of the organizations involved in its formation, and
civic officials.
A wide range of businesses, such as professional dry cleaners, medical
offices, beauty salons, convenience stores and other small retailers are
eligible. To take part, a business must also be in the service area of a
participating LDC; the OPA is working in partnership with LDCs across Ontario
to launch the program throughout the summer months.
"The Power Savings Blitz will help reduce system strain and our need to
buy power during periods of peak demand saving all Ontario ratepayers money,"
says Ontario Power Authority Vice President Conservation and Sector
Development Paul Shervill. "Our goal is to achieve 20 megawatts of savings by
signing on 15,000 Ontario businesses in 2008. Energy Conservation Week
provides an excellent context to communicate the program's multiple benefits
and encourage savvy business people to take advantage of it."
"The Power Savings Blitz program will help small businesses achieve
greater energy efficiency," said Minister of Energy Gerry Phillips. "The
program will also be good for businesses because they'll save money on the
bottom line."
"Environmental sustainability is a major strategic priority for Markham,"
said Markham Mayor and Vice Chair of PowerStream, Frank Scarpitti. "The work
at Sunshine Lake Childcare Centre exemplifies Markham's environmental
leadership and innovation. We are very proud it has contributed to a program
that is building a culture of conservation in Ontario."
The OPA will fund the cost and labour for a wide range of retrofits,
including: fluorescent lighting systems, compact fluorescent lighting (CFL),
as well as LED "EXIT" signs, jackets for electric water heaters, pipe
insulation and faucet aerators.
The process for businesses interested in participating is easy and
straightforward. Energy assessors working for participating LDCs will go
door-to-door within a target area to offer a free assessment of the cost and
energy savings that can be achieved through lighting and water heating
upgrades. Once an assessment is complete, if the business chooses to proceed
with a retrofit, a licensed electrical contractor will be engaged to complete
the turn-key retrofit.
The retrofit is quick and easy to perform and can generally be done while
a business is open and should take no more than a couple hours to complete.
There's very little mess because there is no change to the lighting footprint
or the electric water heating unit; hence there is no need for repairs or
re-painting.
Until the Power Savings Blitz is fully up and running later this summer,
businesses interested in getting more information about it should contact the
Ontario Power Authority at: 1-877-797-9473.
Energy Conservation Week is a province-wide initiative that is being
co-ordinated by the Ontario Power Authority, in co-operation with many
partners, including the Ministry of Energy, the Independent Electricity System
Operator and the Electricity Distributors Association. It combines
awareness-building, the dissemination of practical information about energy
conservation, and it encourages the implementation of specific measures that
will help Ontario better manage its summer peak and build towards a "culture
of conservation."
For more information, visit the Energy Conservation Week website,
www.energyconservationweek.ca, a dynamic resource that features tips on how to
conserve energy, an energy conservation forum, an events calendar and more.
The Ontario Power Authority creates and implements conservation and
demand management programs, ensures adequate investment in new supply
infrastructure, performs long-term electricity supply planning, and
facilitates the development of a more reliable and sustainable system.
For further information: (416) 969-6307 or 1-800-797-9604
