October 27, 2015 – Ontario says it has a new guide to help small businesses reduce energy use, manage costs and save money.

Helping Small Businesses Save Energy is a recently launched handbook on new Ontario programs and services that will help reduce costs for businesses.

According to the provincial government, the guide is part of a plan that will:

• Promote the use of local energy managers, which help small business owners find savings and reduce the burden of paperwork.
• Better market business conservation programs, which will ensure small business owners have access to the necessary information about government programs to help them save.
• Enhance business conservation programs to ensure simplicity of application, increased benefits and rebates, and increased contractor engagement and training.
• Work to make on-bill financing widely available, which helps small business owners finance the upfront costs of significant energy conservation projects.
• Provide an additional six years of stable funding for conser­vation programs.

“Local entrepreneurs support healthy communities and a strong economy as they grow their businesses. This new plan to help small businesses save will support owners in managing energy use and reducing costs, while helping our province reach electricity conservation goals”, said Bob Chiarelli, Ontario Minister of Energy.