Improving Energy Performance in Canada –
Report to Parliament Under the Energy Efficiency
Act For the Fiscal Year 2005-2006

Chapter 8: Federal House in Order

Introduction

The Government of Canada is the country's largest single enterprise. It is working to get its house in order by setting a target of a 31 percent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its own operations by 2010.

Since 1990, through building retrofits, better fleet management, strategic "green power" purchases and the downsizing of operations, the Government of Canada has already achieved a 25 percent emissions reduction. The Government of Canada will reduce its net emissions by a further 6 percent by 2010 (see Figure 8-1).

The Government of Canada will achieve its goal by additional building retrofits, fuel switching, improved fleet management, energy-efficient procurement and increased use of renewable energy within government operations. Moreover, the Government of Canada can help to "create the market" for certain new technologies on the verge of becoming viable. Key departments, which are responsible for 95 percent of government GHG emissions, have been assigned specific emission reduction targets and must report annually on their progress.

The task of target sharing entails assigning specific targets to the 11 largest emitting departments based on the emission-reduction opportunities identified within each organization. Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is taking a lead role in managing this task and in providing programs and support to departments and agencies to help them achieve their targets. The leadership component of the Federal House in Order initiative encourages the reduction of all federal emissions by engaging the active participation of the departments, agencies and Crown corporations that were not designated with a target.

GHG Emissions Reductions from Federal Operations, 1990 to 2010.

Federal Buildings Initiative (FBI)

Objective: To assist Government of Canada organizations to implement energy efficiency improvements, leading to reduced energy use, GHG emissions and operating costs.

The Federal Buildings Initiative (FBI) facilitates comprehensive energy efficiency upgrades and building retrofits for departments, agencies and Crown corporations of the Government of Canada. The FBI provides advice and consultation on project opportunities, model performance contracting documents, celebration and recognition opportunities, and a national network for energy management training. In facilitating public-private partnerships, the FBI manages a qualified list of energy management firms that provide a turnkey service to federal organizations, including project engineering and construction, third-party private sector financing, project monitoring, and employee training and awareness. FBI program officers work with federal organizations from project inception through to contract award and project monitoring and verification.

Key 2005-2006 Achievements

• Canadian Forces Base Halifax was awarded its second FBI energy efficiency project. Private sector investment of $12 million is expected to generate over $2 million annually in energy cost savings. The base's first project, implemented in 1995 with an investment of $11 million, has realized close to $2 million in energy savings each year.
• The private sector made new and incremental investments of $19.9 million in FBI projects.
• FBI energy efficiency projects awarded in 2005–2006 will reduce the federal government's annual utility bills by $3.1 million.

For more information:
oee.nrcan.gc.ca/fbi/home_page.cfm

Energy Technology Applications Group (ETAG)

Objective: To provide technical and project management services assisting federal facilities to implement energy reduction projects.

The experience gained by the Energy Technology Applications Group (ETAG) in building energy systems and access to the engineering and scientific network within NRCan ensures that environmentally responsible technologies are considered when federal government clients replace or modify their energy systems. ETAG used to be called the Federal Industrial Boiler Program but changed its name in 2004 to better reflect the range of energy technologies that it deals with and its role as technical support and liaison between federal facilities and the energy technology groups within CETC. Since its inception in 1991, it has worked with such departments as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Correctional Service Canada (CSC), Environment Canada, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada and the Department of National Defence to reduce their energy costs. Through projects implemented by ETAG, GHG emissions have been reduced by an average of 4.7 kilotonnes per year.

Key 2005-2006 Achievements

• Worked with CSC to continue its Federal House in Order-sponsored wind power projects. With the wind data accumulated over the past year, ETAG issued a feasability report; and as a result, CSC decided to proceed with purchasing and installing two 600-kilowatt turbines: one at Dorchester, New Brunswick, and another at Drumheller, Alberta. ETAG wrote the technical specifications and worked with the CSC project team to issue the request for proposal and evaluate the proposals received.
• CSC made a commitment in its 2003 Sustainable Development Strategy to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions in the Québec City-Windsor corridor and the Lower Fraser Valley by 10 percent from 2003 levels. ETAG has been working with CSC to develop an annual monitoring and boiler efficiency optimization program for the heating plants in these areas to meet that commitment. From the plant optimization, CSC will reduce its annual carbon dioxide (equivalent) emissions by 200 000 kilograms.
• ETAG worked with AAFC, providing technical and project assistance on a variety of sites and technologies. It performed a refit study of the heating and cooling plant at AAFC's research facility in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, identifying opportunities to save $100,000 and reduce carbon dioxide (equivalent) emissions by 600 000 kilograms per year. With ETAG's assistance, AAFC is moving ahead with installing a 50-kilowatt wind turbine at the Harrington research centre in Prince Edward Island. The project is expected to reduce annual carbon dioxide (equivalent) emissions by 43 000 kilograms.

Annual Energy Savings From Energy Technology Applications Group, 1991 to 2005.

For more information:
etag-gate.ca [This link opens a new window]

Federal Fleet Initiative (FFI)

Objective: To assist federal government departments to increase the energy efficiency of their fleets and reduce the environmental impact of federal vehicle operations and to promote the Alternative Fuels Act within the federal fleet.

The Federal Fleet Initiative (FFI) provides tools and information to federal fleet managers and drivers to help them respond to climate change and to improve the overall efficiency of their fleets. This program resides at Natural Resources Canada and is steered by an interdepartmental committee consisting of the 11 largest emitting federal departments. This committee meets on a regular basis to discuss fleet management and operational issues and activities. Treasury Board Secretariat, through the Motor Vehicle Policy, outlines new objectives and requirements of efficiency and environmental performance facing the federal fleet and the FFI assists departments in meeting these requirements.

Key 2005-2006 Achievements

• Increased the penetration of ethanol-85 (E85) fuel across the federal fleet by subsidizing 371 251 litres of E85 fuel to federal fleets (as of April 2005).
• Trained 1143 federal vehicle operators at workshops; trained an additional 1566 operators on-line. Assisted in purchasing 144 Leadership Vehicles (E85 and hybrid vehicles).
• Funded 11 demonstration projects – testing new technology applications across the federal fleet.

Federal Fleet Size and Fuel Consumption, 1995 to 2004.

Purchases of Alternative Fuel Vehicles (Including Hybrids) for the Federal Fleet, 1997 to 2004.

For more information:
oee.nrcan.gc.ca/communities-government/transporation/federal/mandate.cfm