Natural Resources Canada March 5, 2004 GOVERNMENT OF CANADA AND MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY TEAM UP FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY ST. JOHN'S - Memorial University of Newfoundland is seeking to improve its energy use, with help from a Government of Canada program that assists institutions plan their building renovations to achieve energy efficiency. The Honourable John Efford, Minister of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), congratulated the university today for its efforts to make its buildings more energy efficient. Minister Efford was speaking on corporate social responsibility at Memorial's Business Day events. "Memorial is to be commended for its leadership in energy efficiency," said Minister Efford. "By pooling our funding dollars, the Government of Canada can help institutions like Memorial save money and, at the same time, help the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change." Enerplan Consultants will develop an energy master plan for the university and look at possible energy improvements to all 49 buildings of the St. John's campus. Memorial is seeking savings in addition to those achieved through a previous retrofit program. In the early 1990s, adding energy-efficient lighting, building controls and other technologies resulted in approximately $650,000 in annual savings. Preliminary analyses indicate that new retrofits could lead to additional savings of 10 to 12 million kilowatt-hours or $700,000 a year at current energy costs. The Government of Canada is contributing $25,000 - almost 50 percent of the total planning costs - for this energy master plan through NRCan's Energy Innovators Initiative (EII). The EII helps increase energy efficiency in existing commercial and institutional buildings, and offers assistance for energy retrofits. Since 2001, it has funded more than 250 planning projects, which are expected to result in retrofit projects that will reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Memorial has been a member of the EII since 1995. Further details on the EII, a program administered by NRCan's Office of Energy Efficiency, can be found on the Internet at www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca/eii. Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2003 federal budget. The Government of Canada's approach to climate change is focused on making the right choices for Canada. This will ensure that the actions taken contribute to the long-term goals of building a sustainable economy for the 21st century, a healthier environment and strong communities, while affirming Canada's place in the world. For more information, media may contact: Alexandra Muir Ghyslain Charron Director of Communications Media Relations Office of the Minister, Natural Resources Canada Natural Resources Canada (613) 992-4447 (613) 947-8246 For more information on the Government of Canada's action on climate change, please visit www.climatechange.gc.ca.
