NB 790
May 29, 2008
FREDERICTON (CNB) - The first-year target for Efficiency NB's industrial program that was launched less than six months ago has been reached, Premier Shawn Graham announced today. A total of 10 of the province's largest industrial energy consumers have signed agreements committing to implement measures to decrease energy use.
The announcement was made at the annual meeting and conference of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) Association in Fredericton, where Graham spoke favourably of industry's level of interest in the program.
"I want to commend Efficiency NB and the participating companies who are showing leadership on reducing energy consumption," Graham said. "These companies are sending a strong message that you can be both profitable and environmental stewards. Industry can be more competitive by being more environmentally responsible."
The industrial program was designed for New Brunswick's top industrial energy consumers, which account for more than 90 per cent of the total energy consumed by the industrial sector.
Minister of Energy Jack Keir, who joined Graham and Environment Minister Roland Haché in making the announcement, also stressed the importance of investing in energy efficiency and the potential economic benefit.
"Industrial facilities are becoming more competitive by combining energy-cost savings, sustainable-energy-cost avoidances, and other productivity improvements," Keir said.
The program offers companies incentives of up to $500,000 in matching funding, depending on the range of energy efficiency measures implemented. It is also expected to leverage an additional $112 million in private sector investment in the province.
Funding for the industrial program has come in part from the Department of Environment's New Brunswick Climate Action Fund, which was established from New Brunswick's portion of the federal government's Eco-Trust for Clean Air and Climate Change Fund. The combined efforts of participants in the industrial program will result in a projected reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of up to 200,000 tonnes annually.
"Our province must continue to be proactive in fostering energy efficiency in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, achieve the goals of the New Brunswick Climate Change Action Plan, and promote sustainability of the environment," Haché said. "This significant investment in energy efficiency will further New Brunswick's progress toward these goals, which our province must achieve in order to be self-sufficient by 2026."
The high level of interest in the industrial program has demonstrated the industrial sector's increasing attention on energy use and environmental impact. Efficiency NB is ready to offer services to additional large energy users, and climate change funding makes this possible.
Efficiency NB has a broad mandate to promote energy efficiency in all sectors and with all energy sources. The industrial program is unique in its customized approach to providing industry with practical solutions for energy management, and focuses on identifying and supporting opportunities for energy efficiency projects, the development of energy-management information systems, and capacity building through custom technical support and training to facilitate operational and management best practices.
"With the flexibility to look at all energy sources, Efficiency NB is able to provide a custom approach for every company," said Efficiency NB President and CEO Elizabeth Weir. "This is a key factor in the program's success."
The following organizations, representing wood forest products, pulp and paper, food processing, and plastics industries, have signed participant agreements with Efficiency NB:
* AV Cell Inc.
* AV Nackawic Inc.
* Flakeboard Company Ltd.
* Fraser Papers Inc., Edmundston mill
* Fraser Papers Inc. - Plaster Rock lumbermill
* IPL Inc. - Edmundston plant
* Irving Paper Ltd.
* Lake Utopia Paper
* Maple Leaf Consumer Foods Inc.
* Marwood Ltd.
Efficiency NB offers sound advice and practical solutions in order to use energy more efficiently, make better energy choices, manage energy expenses, and lessen the impact of energy use on the environment. Its programs are available to industrial, commercial and residential sectors.
For more information on Efficiency NB and its programs and services, visit www.efficiencynb.ca, or call 1-866-643-8833.
08/05/29
MEDIA CONTACTS: Janelle Shillington, Efficiency NB, 506-643-7831; Michael Wesson, Department of Environment, 506-453-3700.
08/05/29
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment