On June 8, 2010, Minister of State for Climate Action, John Yap, announced that BC schools, universities, colleges, hospitals and Crown corporations will receive $25 million for energy retrofits in a move to create jobs and cut carbon pollution.
In 2007, the province created the Public Sector Energy Conservation Agreement in partnership with BC Hydro (more information on the agreement is available at Link
The province’s 2008 budget committed $75 million over three years to help public sector organisations (PSOs).
This $25 million investment will be allocated among four categories:
- $6 million in K-12 schools throughout the province for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) retrofits;
- $2 million for solar thermal projects to fund solar hot water and air systems, also supporting the 100,000 solar roof initiative;
- $12 million for district energy systems; and
- $5 million for an open call for proposals to all provincial PSOs, similar to those in the first two years of the program.
Minister Yap also announced that Terasen Gas will be a new partner in public sector energy conservation. This partnership will leverage Terasen’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation program, help build energy efficiency capacity across the public sector and provide additional dollars to help PSOs invest in their building portfolios.
For more information, please refer to the Ministry of Environment’s press release: Link