Energy-saving program for small and medium manufacturers (09/06/11)

NB 828

June 11, 2009

TRACADIE-SHEILA (CNB) - A program is available to help small and medium manufacturers reduce their energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

The Small and Medium Industrial Program - a new stream of the Energy Smart program offered by Efficiency NB - will also help these manufacturers improve their productivity and competitiveness.

Elizabeth Weir, president and chief executive officer of Efficiency NB, announced the program here today during the annual meeting of the New Brunswick Enterprise Network.

"With our help, businesses can identify savings potential, build a business case for investment and quickly move to implementation," Weir said. "It is good for the business, and it is also good for the local community by increasing investment and jobs."

The program will help small and medium industries identify the best opportunities to save energy and minimize investment risk by determining a clear rate of return. It will also help these industries project a dollar value of future energy savings.

"This program will further assist New Brunswick's small and medium industries become more competitive," said Energy Minister Jack Keir. "By helping small and medium industries become more energy-efficient, we are helping them to compete in the global marketplace. They are able to reduce operating costs and invest their savings into their companies.

"Our government will continue to take steps to ensure businesses in New Brunswick have the tools they need to be more successful in our province."

The Small and Medium Industrial Program complements Efficiency NB's program for large industry. It provides customized support to smaller industries using at least 50 per cent of their energy bills in manufacturing and having a peak average monthly energy consumption of less than two megawatts.

The program provides incentives at three steps:

• in the initial phase, Efficiency NB provides 50 per cent of study costs to identify the opportunities for energy savings, to a maximum of $3,000;
• in the second phase, companies are eligible to be covered for 50 per cent of costs to complete a detailed feasibility study up to a maximum $10,000. They may do this up to three times, to a maximum of $30,000;
• in the implementation phase, companies are eligible to receive $10 per gigajoule of energy saved, to a maximum of $50,000.

More information is available at Efficiency NB, 1-866-643-8833, or at the industrial section of Efficiency NB's website.

09/06/11

MEDIA CONTACT: Tracey Somers, communications, Efficiency NB, 506-643-2860, tracey.somers@gnb.ca.

09/06/11

Energy efficiency workshops for forestry sector to be held (09/06/09)

NB 820

June 9, 2009

FREDERICTON (CNB) - Energy efficiency workshops for the New Brunswick forestry sector are being held by Efficiency New Brunswick on Tuesday, June, 9 and Wednesday, June 10.

Thirty-five persons representing at least 16 sawmills will take part. The English workshop is being held today in Fredericton, and the French workshop will be held tomorrow in Grand Falls.

The workshops are being delivered by Canada's national wood products research institute, FPInnovations - Forintek Division. The institute supports the forest products industry in optimizing manufacturing processes, extracting higher-value products and meeting customers' expectations of performance, durability, and affordability.

Sawmill energy-use characteristics are unique to the sector and are closely tied to production. Opportunities for energy efficiency will be explored in sawmilling, lumber drying and planer mill energy. Efficiency NB will outline the incentives and support it makes available to small, medium and large industry in the province.

Energy Minister Jack Keir praised Efficiency NB for providing resources and support to the forestry sector.

"Energy efficiency represents an important opportunity for cost savings in an industry that is faced with the challenge of remaining viable and competitive in a struggling economic climate," he said. "This is an extremely worthwhile initiative."

Efficiency NB is joining the New Brunswick Forest Products Association to deliver the workshops to the latter's member companies.

"As the largest consumers of energy in the province, our members understand the importance of maximizing energy efficiency," said Mark Arsenault, president and chief executive officer, New Brunswick Forest Products Association. "Energy can account for up to 30 per cent of our total costs. Energy efficiency is good for the bottom line and our environment."

09/06/09

MEDIA CONTACT: Tracey Somers, communications, Efficiency NB, 506-643-2860, e-mail, tracey.somers@gnb.ca.

09/06/09