WHITEHORSE - A hotel and a First Nations-operated commercial building in Whitehorse are the first businesses in Canada's three northern territories to make their operations more energy-efficient with help from a Government of Canada program that assists institutions with building retrofits to achieve energy efficiency. The Honourable R. John Efford, Minister of Natural Resources Canada, the Honourable Larry Bagnell, Member of Parliament for Yukon, and the Honourable Archie Lang, Minister Responsible for the Yukon Development Corporation, today congratulated the High Country Inn and 33225 Yukon Inc., owner of the Lynn Building, on receiving funding from Natural Resources Canada's (NRCan's) Energy Innovators Initiative (EII). "These organizations are pooling their efforts with the Government of Canada to make a difference in addressing climate change," said Minister Efford. "Organizations that increase energy efficiency in their buildings help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and save money at the same time." "Climate change is having a particularly profound effect on Canada's North," said Mr. Bagnell. "Commercial enterprises that reduce their energy consumption, especially those in an energy-intensive region such as Yukon, are to be commended for their foresight." "I'm pleased that the Yukon Development Corporation, through its subsidiary the Energy Solutions Centre, could help these two businesses access the Energy Innovators Initiative," said Mr. Lang. "We welcome any opportunity to work with other governments in reducing energy use, cost and greenhouse gas emissions." The High Country Inn is implementing a $210,000 project to replace its oil-fired and propane equipment with electric equipment. The project is expected to save almost $100,000 and more than 3,000 gigajoules, or 800,000 equivalent kilowatt-hours, of energy consumption each year. This represents a reduction in GHG emissions of approximately 910 tonnes, or more than 16 percent. EII funding for the project totals more than $45,000, based on energy savings, which accounts for up to 21 percent of the total project costs. The Lynn Building project, worth more than $105,000, involves upgrading the heating, ventilating and air-conditioning system - including new heat-recovery ventilation equipment, controls, variable frequency drives and induced variable-air-volume ventilation. The owners should save 1,067 gigajoules of energy a year, or more than 36 percent. The EII is providing more than $16,000 in funding, which is approximately 15 percent of the total costs. The building is owned by four First Nation-controlled companies, one of which is made up of shareholders from 17 First Nation bands. Under a new EII policy announced last November, projects in northern, Aboriginal, rural and remote communities are eligible for up to twice the funding of similar projects in major urban areas. The EII helps increase energy efficiency in existing commercial and institutional buildings and offers Energy Retrofit Assistance funding for implementation of energy retrofits. Since 1998, more than 200 retrofit projects have received funding, resulting in an average reduction of energy consumption and GHG emissions of 20 percent. Increased funding for the EII 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. Further details on the EII, a program within NRCan's Office of Energy Efficiency, can be found at www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca/eii. For more information, media may contact: Cathy Worden Ghyslain Charron Office of the Minister Media Relations Natural Resources Canada Natural Resources Canada Ottawa Ottawa (613) 996-2007 (613) 992-4447
