2003/30 (a)

BACKGROUNDER

ENERGY STAR^® in Canada

In 2001, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) signed an agreement on high energy-efficiency with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. This agreement allows these agencies to work together to promote the development of technical specifications and the ENERGY STAR symbol as the international mark of energy efficiency.

In addition to Canada and the United States, ENERGY STAR specifications are used in Australia, the Far East and the European Union to provide a global definition of energy-efficient products. Manufacturers use the ENERGY STAR symbol on products that meet the program's specifications. Utilities and provincial departments use the ENERGY STAR high-efficiency criteria as the basis for developing programs or establishing incentive levels.

ENERGY STAR in Canada
To date, Canada has 40 organizations participating in the ENERGY STAR initiative (www.energystar.gc.ca), including five major retail chains, gas and electrical utilities, non-government organizations, and major manufacturers of appliances and heating, cooling and commercial products. Participants sign an agreement with NRCan to promote the ENERGY STAR symbol in Canada. Participants must use the symbol in the prescribed way, promote products that qualify and provide information on their activities to assist NRCan in evaluating the progress of ENERGY STAR in Canada.

The ENERGY STAR initiative, aimed at helping all Canadians reduce greenhouse gas emissions as outlined in the Climate Change Plan for Canada, focuses on two key areas:

• encouraging suppliers of energy-efficient products, utilities, governments and non-government organizations to become active program participants; and
• informing and motivating the general public to choose energy-efficient products that carry the ENERGY STAR symbol.

The ENERGY STAR Awards
The first NRCan Special Recognition Awards for ENERGY STAR Market Transformation, presented in Toronto on May 13, 2003, recognize organizations for their significant contribution toward improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. This initiative is managed by NRCan's Office of Energy Efficiency.

This year's winners are as follows:

• ENERGY STAR Manufacturer of the Year: Whirlpool Canada Inc.
• ENERGY STAR Manufacturer of the Year: Panasonic Canada Inc.
• ENERGY STAR Retailer of the Year: Sears Canada Inc.
• ENERGY STAR Public Service Program of the Year: British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
• ENERGY STAR Promotional Campaign of the Year: Keep Cool Campaign, organized by the Clean Air Foundation
• ENERGY STAR Participant of the Year: Clean Air Partnership and Toronto Atmospheric Fund for developing the Clean Air Consumer Guide
• ENERGY STAR Government Initiative of the Year – Federal Level: Public Works and Government Services Canada
• ENERGY STAR Government Initiative of the Year – Provincial/Territorial Level: Yukon Development Corporation

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NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media