McGuinty Government Encourages Municipal Retrofits
April 10, 2008
NEWS
Ontario is helping municipalities “green” their buildings through a grant program designed to cut both energy costs and environmental impacts.
Starting today, municipalities can apply for a grant to cover up to 25 per cent of retrofit costs, up to a maximum of $100,000. The application deadline is May 23, 2008.
Ontario’s $20 million Municipal Eco Challenge Fund includes $14 million to make municipal buildings more energy efficient.
The fund’s remaining $6 million is providing municipalities with training, tools and technical support, in collaboration with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Canada Green Building Council.
The grant program was announced by Premier Dalton McGuinty as part of Ontario’s Go Green action plan on Climate Change, and in conjunction with a $200 million Infrastructure Ontario / OSIFA loan program for municipal projects that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
QUOTES
“We are building great partnerships with municipalities, including green partnerships that will benefit all Ontarians, “said Jim Watson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
“Through these “Go Green” municipal programs we can help municipalities reduce energy costs and create greener communities for Ontario residents,” said Gerry Phillips, Minister of Energy.
QUICK FACTS
- The Province of Ontario has committed to GHG emission reduction targets of six per cent below 1990 levels by 2014, 15 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80 per cent below 1990 levels by 2050.
- Ontario’s municipalities spend nearly a billion dollars a year on energy costs alone.
- At over 6.6 billion kilowatt-hours a year, municipalities consume more electricity than any industrial sector outside pulp and paper.
- Municipal electricity consumption also causes at least 1.5 million tonnes (1.5 billion kilograms) of carbon dioxide emissions a year, with municipal buildings accounting for as much as 80 per cent of those emissions.
LEARN MORE
Review the Guidelines and Application form required to apply for Municipal Eco Challenge funding.
Learn more about Ontario’s Go Green climate change plan and what Ontarians can do to make a difference.
Backgrounder:Eco Challenge Fund Helps Municipalities Go Green
ontario.ca/mah-news
Disponible en français
Shanna Brisebois
Minister’s Office
416-585-7131
Sylvia Kovesfalvi
Ministry of Energy
416-327-4334