Government Buildings Being Assessed for Energy Efficiency Opportunities

Over the next three to six months, government buildings and schools will be assessed to determine the best way to make energy-efficiency improvements.

A request for proposals issued by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal will ask energy service companies, pre-qualified by the department, to submit proposals to conduct the assessments.

The assessments and improvements are part of a $50-million investment to improve energy efficiency in government buildings, schools and hospitals.

"The department plays a vital role in meeting targets outlined in the Climate Change Action Plan," said Brooke Taylor, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. "By making our buildings greener and healthier today, we are ensuring the well-being of generations to come."

As outlined in the Climate Change Action Plan, the province must achieve a 30 per cent reduction in energy consumption in all government-owned buildings built before 2001. Government has until 2020 to meet the goal.

Government must also begin a program to achieve Building Owners and Managers Association of Canada's Building Environmental Standards certification, or equivalent, for Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal's major owned and operated buildings by 2015.

Once energy assessments are complete, government will begin retrofitting buildings and schools to make them more efficient.

"This initiative reflects the advice we received from the Round Table on Environment and Sustainable Prosperity to create stimulus in the economy by focusing on the areas of energy efficiency and conservation," said Environment Minister David Morse. "Incorporating green stimulus in our plan creates and maintains green jobs, and it creates a long-term investment in Nova Scotia's future."

The project is part of the province's Building for Growth plan, an economic investment strategy to benefit local communities while generating employment and supporting the provincial economy. This phase of the project will cost about $30 million.

"Greening government buildings through energy efficiency and conservation will save energy and money and help protect the environment," said Barry Barnet, Minister of Conserve Nova Scotia.

The province will conduct the assessments on about 2,200 buildings, including schools, courts, office buildings and correctional facilities. Hospitals will be assessed through a separate request for proposals.

Nova Scotia aims to have one of the cleanest and most sustainable environments in the world by 2020.