ecoENERGY Initiatives: Protecting the Health of Canadians and the Environment

January 22, 2007

Energy plays a huge role in the lives of Canadians. Canada has abundant energy resources that make the energy sector a major driver of the Canadian economy. But energy production and use are also the sources of most of Canada's air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Although Canada is an emerging energy superpower, the real challenge is to be a clean energy superpower.

The Government of Canada's ecoENERGY Initiatives will help meet this challenge. They are a focused set of measures that will boost clean energy supplies, help Canadians use energy more efficiently and reduce air pollutants and other emissions from conventional energy sources. The investment of more than $2 billion will result in fewer air and greenhouse gas emissions that affect the health of Canadians and our environment.

ecoENERGY Renewable Initiative

The investment of more than $1.5 billion in the ecoENERGY Renewable Initiative will boost Canada's renewable energy supplies. Incentives and industry support will be provided for low-impact renewable electricity generation and heating technologies. The ecoENERGY Renewable Initiative is expected to add enough clean electricity to the grid to power one million homes, and to install solar heating in about 700 buildings and solar hot-water systems in several thousand homes.

ecoENERGY Efficiency Initiative

Approximately $300 million over the next four years will promote smarter energy use. The ecoENERGY Efficiency Initiative includes ecoENERGY Retrofit, providing financial support and information for energy retrofits in homes, as well as in small buildings and industries. ecoENERGY for Buildings and Houses will support the construction and retrofit of more energy-efficient buildings and houses through information sharing, standard setting and related initiatives and training. ecoENERGY for Industry will accelerate energy-saving investments and the exchange of best-practice information within Canada's industrial sector.

ecoENERGY Technology Initiative

A $230-million investment in the ecoENERGY Technology Initiative will accelerate the development and market readiness of clean energy technologies. It will foster the next generation of clean technologies to break through to emissions-free energy production and use. The ecoENERGY Technology Initiative is a focused, integrated approach built on key priorities that include CO₂ sequestration, clean coal, clean oil sands production and renewable energy.

The ecoENERGY Initiatives complement the Government's regulatory approach under the proposed Clean Air Act. They will deliver real results while regulations are being developed and drive the technological innovation required to support upcoming regulations.