NB 1101
Aug. 11, 2006
SAINT JOHN (CNB) - Homeowners and landlords in New Brunswick can now take advantage of the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Program for low-income households, Premier Bernard Lord announced today.
Lord was joined for the announcement by Family and Community Services Minister Madeleine Dubé and Energy Minister and Minister responsible for Efficiency NB Brenda Fowlie.
"The Energy Efficiency Retrofit Program provides financial assistance to help low-income New Brunswickers make their homes more energy efficient," Lord said. "The program and the $5.3 million in provincial funding demonstrate government's commitment to supporting energy efficiency for the province and for all New Brunswickers. Our goal will be to retrofit about 1,000 low-income homes or rental units over the next year."
The Energy Efficiency Retrofit Program for low-income households is offered through a partnership of the Department of Family and Community Services and Efficiency NB, and is available to both homeowners and owners of residential rental properties occupied by low-income tenants.
Family and Community Services will invest $4.8 million to provide assistance in the form of a non-repayable grant for energy-efficiency upgrades such as energy-efficient heating systems, air sealing, insulation, ventilation systems, and, in some instances, windows and doors. The maximum grant contribution is $4,500 for single and semi-detached homes, and $1,500 per unit for multiple-unit buildings such as apartments and rooming houses. Efficiency NB will contribute $500,000 to provide energy audits on homes, at no cost to eligible homeowners.
"The Energy Efficiency Retrofit Program will compliment Family and Community Services' existing Federal/Provincial Repair Program for low-income homeowners, as well as the Rental Rehabilitation Assistance Program for low-income renters," Dubé said. "These programs provide financial assistance to bring dwellings up to a minimum level of health and safety in the areas of structural soundness, electrical systems, plumbing systems, heating systems, and fire safety. With the addition of the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Program for low-income households, we will assist New Brunswickers to make their homes more energy efficient."
"We are very pleased to be partnering with the Department of Family and Community Services to make energy efficiency accessible for low-income homeowners in New Brunswick," Fowlie said. "New Brunswick has the oldest housing stock in the country, and this joint effort will allow us to bring the benefits of energy efficiency to even more homeowners in the province. The program for low-income households reinforces the goals of Efficiency NB, whose mission is to offer practical solutions to help New Brunswickers use energy more efficiently, make better energy choices, manage energy expenses, and lessen the impact of energy use on the environment."
Today's announcement supports two goals of the province's Five in Five Initiative, which will see New Brunswick have the greatest reduction in poverty and the biggest reduction in air pollution in Canada within the next five years. This program will result in lasting improvements to the province's housing stock, and also encourage low-income homeowners to consume less energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in coming years.
06/08/11
MEDIA CONTACTS: Communications, Office of the Premier, 506-453-5426; Lori-Jean Johnson, Family and Community Services, 506-453-2039; Jill Whitehouse, Efficiency NB, 506-643-7826.
06/08/11