Innovation, Energy and Mines Minister Dave Chomiak and Conservation Minister Bill Blaikie today welcomed news that Manitoba has been awarded an A-plus on the 2009 National Energy Efficiency report card. This is the fourth consecutive report card the province has either led or been tied for first place in the national rating.
“We’re proud of Manitoba’s performance in conserving energy and promoting efficiency,” said Chomiak. “It’s gratifying to have our efforts recognized by the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance.
“Reducing energy bills and greenhouse-gas emissions through the efficient use of energy is a major priority for this government and Manitoba Hydro. I congratulate the many individuals, businesses, associations and agencies that have worked with us and with each other to build a more sustainable energy future for Manitoba.”
“There are many ways each of us can help reduce our dependency on energy and create a greener planet,” Blaikie said. “It is gratifying that Manitobans are being recognized for the work they have done and it shows how working together we can make a difference.”
The report card, prepared by the non-profit organization Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance (CEEA), evaluates the federal, provincial and territorial governments on their energy-efficiency performance. Manitoba also received an A-plus rating in the last report card issued in 2007 and an A rating in both 2004 and 2005.
The CEEA rates Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments on several factors including:
• how they support energy efficiency and public outreach,
• the existence of partnerships to support projects,
• the incorporation of energy efficiency in their building codes, and
• the introduction of energy-efficiency legislation.
“Manitoba has been a leader in this area since 1999,” Chomiak said. “This rating reinforces the fact we are continuing to meet our commitment to be one of the most advanced jurisdictions anywhere when it comes to encouraging the efficient use of energy.”
In the past two years, Manitoba has:
• launched a process to strengthen energy-efficiency requirements for new construction covered by the Manitoba Building Code;
• started setting mandatory requirements for the energy efficiency of products;
• introduced, through Manitoba Hydro, several new Power Smart initiatives to expand the demand and capacity for energy-efficient products and services; and
• implemented the strongest policy in Canada for ensuring a high level of energy efficiency in publicly funded new construction and renovation projects.
Manitoba also has new minimum efficiency standards for replacement gas furnaces that are the highest of any jurisdiction in Canada, and Manitoba Hydro’s Power Smart Residential Loan Program has grown to become the largest and most successful on-bill financing program for energy efficiency in North America, Chomiak said.
Overall, Manitoba has maintained its A-plus standing because it continues to take a progressive approach to including energy efficiency in its policies, programs and provincial initiatives, the CEEA said.
The CEEA is a not-for-profit agency established in 1995. Its energy-efficiency report card can be found online at www.energyefficiency.org.
