Vol. 2 No. 1

November 2006

- How Energy Efficient are Canadian Jurisdictions?
- EB Welcomes New Account Rep to the Team
- Call for GE Edison Award Competition
- Home Lighting Control Alliance is Born
- Coming Christmas Events
- Your January 2007 Electrical Business

 



HOW ENERGY EFFICIENT ARE CANADIAN JURISDICTIONS?

The Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance (CEEA) has issued its sixth annual report card highlighting the progress the federal and provincial governments have made toward reducing energy demand and consumption. The report also recognizes the role that efficiency and conservation have in improving Canada’s competitiveness, and reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The grades are based on the performance between January 1 and December 31, 2005. Ken Elsey, CEEA’s president and CEO, said that while no jurisdiction received a failing grade, New Brunswick dropped and Alberta failed to live up to its potential.

What are jurisdictions really doing?

BRITISH COLUMBIA generally rates well in all areas except reporting and evaluation. The government demonstrates strong support for codes, energy-efficiency standards and a positive regulatory environment. The utilities are also to be commended in their support and delivery of energy efficiency-efforts.

ALBERTA has not implemented any building codes that specify energy efficiency, and there is little regulatory pressure to promote it. The province does, however, support municipalities and the use of higher efficiency standards for its own buildings.

SASKATCHEWAN has continued to make significant advancements in the energy-efficiency arena over the past few years, and does a solid job of tracking its efforts. Although the province is the only one without a public utilities board, it does have a Rate Review Panel, and its cabinet can choose to make the final decision on rates and other utility matters. In addition, there is evidence from related policy efforts that Saskatchewan is heightening its overall prioritization of energy efficiency.

The ONTARIO government scores highly with respect to a more progressive approach to energy efficiency, including new program offerings focused on electricity that are delivered through OPA’s Conservation Bureau. New legislation introduced in 2005 intended to strengthen the Energy Efficiency Act and the energy provisions in the building codes bode well for the future.

L’Agence de l’efficacité énergétique (AEE), in conjunction with the three utilities in QUEBEC, offer a broad suite of conservation and demand management initiatives that engage all sectors. The programs have demonstrated significant savings in terms of both energy and greenhouse gas emissions in the past; however, reduced funding for the AEE has negatively impacted the government’s role in program delivery.

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR has largely ignored public energy-efficiency initiatives, and the score for 2005 is a testament to the lack of support. This year, CEEA notes what appears to be a growing concern for the state of energy efficiency and is encouraged that new programs and initiatives are being contemplated.

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND reports an impressive list of activities, but CEEA notes that previous years’ programming plans do not seem to have come to fruition. Related activities focused on supply side renewable alternatives are solid, however, the same focus on energy efficiency does not appear to be happening.

NOVA SCOTIA continues to offer strong energy-efficiency programs by partnering with a mix of both private and NGO/NPO organizations, and demonstrating a good regulatory climate in support of energy-efficiency efforts. But, analysis of program results and evaluation are lacking.

NEW BRUNSWICK has established a new conservation agency, but the province’s 2005 submission does not demonstrate any measurable improvements over previous years beyond the creation of this agency.

After failing to report in 2004, the NORTHWEST TERRITORIES did submit a report this year, but there’s an apparent decrease in the amount of energy-efficiency activities from the levels of effort observed in 2002-2003.

THE YUKON continues to demonstrate a serious commitment and interest in energy efficiency. It is worth noting that The Yukon has the highest per capita R-2000 homes in Canada, and local architect and design firms have won national and international awards for energy-efficient building designs.

NUNAVUT is still in the infant stages of energy-efficiency policy and program development, and its low score reflects the largely start-up-type activities being undertaken. It has, however, made the effort of establishing the Nunavut Energy Centre.

The FEDERAL GOVERNMENT continued to deliver a range of programs and financial support through OEE, CANMET and others in 2005. Programs have demonstrated success in reaching significant greenhouse gas and kilowatt-hour reductions. Unless recently dropped programs are renewed or replaced, 2006 does not hold the same promise.



EB WELCOMES NEW ACCOUNT REP TO THE TEAM


Electrical Business is pleased to announce the addition of Jennifer Sewell to the team as account representative. In her position, Sewell is responsible for spearheading some of EB’s latest initiatives, such as the new EB Careers page located at the back of the magazine, as well as online at EBmag.com. She will also take a leadership role in next year’s Bluebook and Educational Showcase. We wish Jennifer the best of success in her new role!



CALL FOR GE EDISON AWARD COMPETITION

GE Consumer & Industrial has made the call for entries for the 24th annual GE Edison Award competition, through which GE recognizes excellence and quality in professional lighting designs that significantly employ GE lamps. All entrants will be invited to an awards ceremony that will take place 07 May 2007 in New York, N.Y., on the evening prior to the opening of Lightfair 2007. Don’t delay! Entries must be received by 10 January 2007. CLICK HERE for details.



HOME LIGHTING CONTROL ALLIANCE IS BORN

Leading industry players have formed a new marketing initiative aimed at raising the awareness, value and benefits of lighting control systems for the home. Named “Home Lighting Control Alliance (HLCA)”, this group of lighting control companies, systems integrators, retailers, distributors and industry support organizations will fund a promotional campaign to share the benefits of lighting controls with consumers, homebuilders and the professional trade.

The alliance will create a consistent, multi-level messaging platform focusing on residential applications for new construction, renovations and quality retrofit installations. Core product areas will include dimming system types (hard-wired and wireless), control keypads and interfaces, and system integration for a room or the whole house.




COMING EVENTS

Make plans now to attend the Christmas event nearest you!

Christmas Reception British Columbia
British Columbia Electrical Association (BCEA), Electro-Federation Canada (EFC), Electrical Contractors Association of British Columbia (ECABC)
November 30
New Westminster, B.C.
Contact Barbette Cejalvo at (604) 291-7708 or barbette@bcea.bc.ca

Christmas Reception Alberta
Alberta Electrical League (AEL), Electro-Federation Canada (EFC), Edmonton Electric Club (EEC)
December 1
Edmonton, Alta.
Contact Tara Ternes at (403) 514-3085 or tternes@enmax.com

Christmas Reception Quebec Region
Electro-Federation Canada (EFC)
December 5
Montreal, Que.
Contact secretariat@electrofed.com

Christmas Reception Ontario
Electro-Federation Canada (EFC)
December 7
Vaughan, Ont.
Contact Nathalie Lajoie at (905) 602-8877 ext. 238 or nlajoie@electrofed.com

Christmas Reception Atlantic Region
Electro-Federation Canada (EFC)
December 13
Halifax, N.S.
Contact Kathy Saunders at (902) 497-1084 or ksaunders@electrofed.com

Christmas Reception Quebec City
Electro-Federation Canada (EFC)
December 13
Quebec City, Que.
Contact secretariat@electrofed.com

Christmas Reception Alberta
Electro-Federation Canada (EFC), Alberta Electrical League (AEL), Calgary Electric Club (CEC)
December 14
Calgary, Alta.
Contact Tara Ternes at (403) 514-3085 or tternes@enmax.com

CLICK HERE to check out more industry events at EBMag.com.


ELECTRICAL BUSINESS, JANUARY 2007

Your January 2007 Electrical Business contains a brand new feature that we know you’re going to love—the Top Products of 2005—as chosen by you! Every time you filled out the Reader Response Card to get more information about a product featured in the magazine, we’ve meticulously counted the hits to come up with our winners. Also be sure the check out Western Update, where we recount the things we’ve seen and learned at AEL’s Learning Expo in Red Deer.

Want more information, or have information to share? Contact the Editor at acapkun@clbmedia.ca or call (905) 713-4391.

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