Letters to the editor - Editor:
A study by Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, commissioned by the government of P.E.I. in 2008, estimated the amount of energy efficiency potential for P.E.I. Over a 10-year investment period, the study found that the residential, commercial and institutional building sectors could reduce wasted energy by 25 per cent, economically on P.E.I.
For every dollar that governments and utilities spend on efficiency, participants typically receive $3 to $4 in savings. Yet the benefits are much larger. A study by Environment Northeast (ENE), found that for $1 spent on efficiency, the Gross State Product (GSP) in New England increased by $4 to $10. A dollar put into efficiency also creates 1.8 times the jobs of wind, though wind is touted on P.E.I. for its jobs.
The Canadian government is weak compared to the United States in directing public investments into green programs. Without any significant federal support or any certainty of emissions regulations, it will become increasingly difficult for Canada to attract renewable energy investment - especially with the increasing attractiveness of markets in the U.S.
According to an analysis by the Pembina Institute and ENE, the U.S. is spending the equivalent of more than C$27.4 billion on green programs - in renewable energy, efficiency, technology development and public transit; compared to a scarce C$357 million in Canadian spending in 2010 - a ratio of 8.6 to 1.
Provincially funded efficiency is now vital. In light of the feds' lack of green priority, Islanders should be streaming public investments in efficiency at the provincial level. Again, for every $1 dollar that governments and utilities spend on efficiency, it creates $3 to $4 in direct savings and $4 to $10 in added local spinoffs. This is why provincial leadership in efficiency should be reflected in P.E.I.'s upcoming budget - despite the federal situation.
The 1,700 farms on P.E.I. are receiving a total $9.9 million in available federal/provincial funds - $7 million for a Renewable Energy Initiative and $2.9 million for a Bio-economy Crop Initiative. The best paybacks will typically be achieved through efficiency and process improvements first - by producing leanly, then meeting energy needs cleanly.
Matt McCarville,
energy policy co-ordinator,
ECO-PEI.
Making efficiency the cornerstone
Editor:
A study by Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, commissioned by the government of P.E.I. in 2008, estimated the amount of energy efficiency potential for P.E.I. Over a 10-year investment period, the study found that the residential, commercial and institutional building sectors could reduce wasted energy by 25 per cent, economically on P.E.I.
For every dollar that governments and utilities spend on efficiency, participants typically receive $3 to $4 in savings. Yet the benefits are much larger. A study by Environment Northeast (ENE), found that for $1 spent on efficiency, the Gross State Product (GSP) in New England increased by $4 to $10. A dollar put into efficiency also creates 1.8 times the jobs of wind, though wind is touted on P.E.I. for its jobs.
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