WHEREAS the provincial government has encouraged municipalities to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions generated through the delivery of municipal operations including those emissions produced through the use of small and large equipment; AND WHEREAS municipalities are encouraged to purchase energy efficient small and large equipment; AND WHEREAS the selection of energy efficient equipment is limited, and the cost still prohibitively high for many municipalities: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities request the federal and provincial governments to encourage industry, through the use of financial incentives, to develop and manufacture more affordable energy efficient small and large equipment so that municipalities can have more choice with regard to green purchasing.
Ministry of Finance The environment is a priority for the government and the government is committed to addressing climate change. As evidence of this commitment, BCs Budget 2008 put 1 billion toward climate change initiatives. The Government also introduced a carbon tax that is intended to put a price on carbon emissions to encourage individuals, businesses, industry and others to use less fossil fuel and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The Government supports the development of new energy efficient equipment through the Scientific Research and Experimental Development tax credit program. In 200708 the province spent 150 million on this program. In addition, the government believes that market forces will, over time, result in reduced prices for energy efficient products. The carbon tax and other market forces will increase the demand for more energy efficient products and equipment. Industry will respond to this with increased production which, in turn, will result in reduced unit prices, making energy efficient equipment more affordable for municipalities. The British Columbia government maintains its commitment to the environment and to fostering a strong, vibrant and competitive economy that promotes investment, innovation and job creation. The government will continue to consider tax changes, such as providing incentives for industry to develop and manufacture more affordable energy efficient equipment, within the context of its fiscal situation and other priorities such as health care and education. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources The Governments overarching objective is to create a culture of energy efficiency and conservation in British Columbia. Achieving this goal is essential to meeting our climate change objectives as well as the ambitious 50 conservation target for BC Hydro set out in the BC Energy Plan: A Vision for Clean Energy Leadership. Provincial, utility and federal financial incentives for residential energy assessments and energy efficiency retrofits are available through the LiveSmartBC: Efficiency Incentive Program www.livesmartbc.ca. This program provides incentives for fuel-efficient furnaces and boilers, energy efficient windows and other products that could be used in local government operations. Improving energy efficiency standards for products manufactured and sold in British Columbia is a key component of our approach to market transformation. The desired outcome is greater supply of energy efficient products at an affordable price. Under the provincial Energy Efficiency Act, higher efficiency standards have been implemented for a number of products in recent years, including commercial boilers, residential gas furnaces; windows, doors and skylights, thermostats and fluorescent ballasts. In most cases, these new regulatory standards have stimulated increased market penetration and diversity of suppliers for the more efficient product lines. Further improvements to energy efficiency standards under the Act are planned for 20082009. If you would like more information, please visit http:www.energyplan.gov.bc.caefficiency or contact the Energy Efficiency Branch at 250-356-1507.