Eleven of the biggest energy savers in BC are being recognized today at FortisBC and FortisBC Energy’s annual Efficiency in Action Awards for completing positive and innovative work.
Their projects prioritized energy efficiency leading to significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions and energy savings across key sectors in the province.
City of Powell River is being recognized for its commitment to energy savings and completing energy efficiency upgrades. The city received the Municipal Public Sector award for installing a number of energy conservation measures at Powell River Recreation Complex, including a natural gas condensing boiler, a heat exchanger and implementing direct digital control optimization.
“We continually look for opportunities to install new high-efficiency equipment and by taking a collaborative approach and working with experts in the field, we were able to develop a full energy efficiency plan that is helping us secure funding for upcoming projects,” stated Neil Pukesh, manager of recreation for City of Powell River. “We’re thrilled with our new high-efficiency boiler system which is more reliable and provides more consistent temperatures throughout our buildings and we expect to see even more benefits as we use it through the heating season.”
The other 2021 Efficiency in Action Award winners are Trellis Seniors Services, Campbell River School District No. 72, Concord W1 Limited Partnership, Okanagan College, Providence Health Care, Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, Kruger Products LP, Caterina Restaurant Corporation (McDonalds), Metro Vancouver Housing Corporation and the Osoyoos Indian Band.
“It’s inspiring to see such a variety of organizations find innovative ways to integrate energy efficiency into their building upgrades and demonstrate the many positive outcomes,” stated Carol Suhan, manager, community programs, conservation and energy management at FortisBC. “We’re proud to honour their achievements today and showcase the collective effort that is helping us achieve a lower carbon energy future.”
Together, nine of these organizations are saving more than 63,000 gigajoules of natural gas annually, the energy equivalent to heating almost 740 homes each year and saving more than 3,200 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent annually, the equivalent to removing about 1,000 gas-powered cars from the road for a year, according to FortisBC. The two winning organizations in FortisBC’s electric service territory are saving more than 730,000 kilowatt hours annually, the equivalent energy needed to power about 70 homes for a year.
“Every project we undertake is viewed through the lens of sustainability and this is why we look for the most efficient ways to reduce energy use and GHG emissions while helping improve the spaces for our staff and patients,” stated Tony Munster, executive director, projects, planning and facilities management at Providence Health Care. “With the incentives we received from FortisBC for this project, we’re able to reallocate funding into other initiatives that will further reduce our GHG emissions for years to come.”
More than $2.8 million in energy efficiency incentives was provided to the winning organizations, according to FortisBC, helping them cover a portion of the upfront costs for these upgrades.
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