Canada Invests in Better Energy Efficiency for Edmonton Housing

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Natural Resources Canada

May 24, 2019, 11:51 ET

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Edmonton, May 24, 2019 /CNW/ - Energy efficiency in buildings lowers costs, creates jobs and helps the environment. Promoting energy-efficient practices is key to Canada's approach to a clean energy economy.

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, today announced a federal investment of $2.5 million for the Sundance Housing Co-operative to retrofit 59 units of its wood frame townhouse complex in Edmonton to be net-zero ready.

The retrofit will focus on installing new, energy-efficient exterior wall panels, which will be designed and fabricated off-site by using digital imaging. The panels will be installed over the existing exterior walls, thus requiring no demolition and allowing the work to be done quickly and with less disruption to occupants.

This demonstration project aims to accelerate the uptake of panelized prefabricated deep energy retrofits across North America — cutting costs and reducing pollution.

Natural Resources Canada is funding the project through its Energy Innovation Program (EIP), which supports initiatives to accelerate clean technology development. The project is also part of Canada's $180-billion Investing in Canada infrastructure plan.

The global shift underway toward a cleaner, greener economy is a crucial moment for the Canadian economy. From May 27 to 29, 2019, Canada will welcome over 25 countries to this year's Clean Energy Ministerial and Mission Innovation Ministerial to discuss a future that is cleaner, brighter and more prosperous for generations to come. Canada will showcase its leadership in cleantech innovation, champion the issue of gender equality, youth and Indigenous peoples in clean energy and promote Canada as a global investment destination. Learn more at: http://cem-mi-vancouver2019.ca/.

Quick Facts

• Buildings are a significant source of pollution in Canada, with commercial and institutional buildings accounting for approximately 17 percent of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions.
• Given that 75 percent of the buildings that will be standing in 2030 have already been built, significantly reducing energy use in existing buildings is one of the most important and effective means of tackling emissions from the buildings sector.
• The Government is working with provinces, territories and industry on energy code development, data sharing, research and development, and market transformation strategies for the building sector. This initiative builds on the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change (PCF) and Canada's Buildings Strategy, developed in partnership with the provinces and territories and through broad consultations with Canadians, key experts and industry stakeholders. Over one-third of estimated greenhouse gas emissions reductions in the PCF are from energy efficiency measures.

Quote

"The transition to a clean energy economy requires collective action to make Canada's buildings more energy-efficient. This project is an example of how the Government of Canada is collaborating closely with partners to develop innovative solutions that will benefit all Canadians, putting more money in their pockets while reducing pollution."

Amarjeet Sohi
Canada's Minister of Natural Resources

"The membership of Sundance Housing Co-operative are extremely pleased to be partnering with NRCan on this project. Not only will this project provide the members long term, energy savings with better comfort and indoor air quality, it will also be a working example for deep-energy retrofits that hopefully will accelerate the uptake of such retrofits across the country."

Beth Nilsen
President, Sundance

"Deep-energy retrofits to existing buildings that are done quickly and efficiently have multiple benefits and are vital to achieving the greenhouse gas reductions our children deserve. Butterwick Projects is grateful to National Resources Canada and the Sundance Housing Cooperative for the opportunity to pioneer this work in Canada."  

Peter Amerongen
Managing Partner, Butterwick Projects Ltd.

Related Information

Sundance Housing Co-operative

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

For further information: Natural Resources Canada, Media Relations, 343-292-6100, NRCan.media_relations-media_relations.RNCan@canada.ca; Vanessa Adams, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Natural Resources, 343-543-7645, Vanessa.Adams@canada.ca

Related Links

www.nrcan.gc.ca

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