Province Helps More Nova Scotians Reduce Energy Costs

The province is making life more affordable for low-income Nova Scotians by increasing its investment in a program that provides energy efficiency upgrades at no cost to homeowners.

The province will invest $4.9 million in the Residential Energy Affordability Program this year.

"We are meeting our commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," said Bill Estabrooks, Minister responsible for Conserve Nova Scotia. "Our increased investment in the Residential Energy Affordability Program will make efficiency upgrades possible for more homeowners who would not be able to do the work on their own. It will make life better for families in every region of the province."

Through the Residential Energy Affordability Program, low income homeowners receive a range of energy efficiency upgrades. Community Services identifies participants from their list of low-income homeowners already scheduled for home repairs to improve health and safety.

More than half the funding, $2.5 million, comes from the ecoNova Scotia for Clean Air and Climate Change fund. This additional investment doubles the program's budget, making it possible for about 700 homes to receive upgrades this year.

"This is a great opportunity to reduce air emissions that affect our environment and to make life better for families throughout our province by permanently reducing their energy costs," said Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau.

Evaluations show that recipients enjoy increased comfort and reduced energy costs of about 30 per cent every year.

"We're very excited about the expansion of this program and are proud to be involved," said Robert Mains, program coordinator, Clean Nova Scotia. "The people who benefit from this program can be found from Yarmouth to Halifax to North Sydney. It provides concrete, measurable benefits to hundreds of low-income homeowners across the province."

The $2.5-million investment is in addition to the $24 million government will spend on energy conservation and programs for energy efficiency this year, and is part of government's ongoing efforts to make life more affordable for families in every region of the province.

Nova Scotia has aggressive commitments to cut greenhouse gases to 10 per cent below 1990 levels by the year 2020. Together, electricity and heating account for 65 per cent of the province's total greenhouse-gas emissions.

More information on the Residential Energy Affordability Program is available at www.conservens.ca/reap.asp .