2011 Federal Budget Invests in Canadian Energy Efficiency and New Technologies Initiatives

OTTAWA, Canadians will benefit from a suite of energy efficiency and energy technology initiatives said the Canadian Gas Association in response to the 2011 federal budget.

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The Government of Canada's 2011-12 federal budget unveiled today included the following commitments:

• $400 million in 2011-12 for the ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes program to help homeowners make their homes more energy efficient.
• Providing renewed funding of almost $100 million over two years for research, development and demonstrations of clean energy and energy efficiency.
• Expanding eligibility for the accelerated capital cost allowance for clean energy generation equipment, including the use of renewable natural gas supplies.
• $97 million over two years to renew funding for technology and innovation in the areas of clean energy and energy efficiency and $8 million over two years to renew funding to promote the deployment of clean energy technologies in Aboriginal and Northern communities.
• $86 million over two years to support clean energy regulatory actions with a focus on energy efficiency.
• $48 million over two years to develop transportation sector regulations and next-generation clean transportation initiatives.
• $40 million over two years for grants to Sustainable Development Technology Canada to continue to support the development and demonstration of new clean technology projects under the clean air and climate change component of the SD Tech Fund.

"For more than a decade natural gas utilities have been leaders in delivering energy conservation and efficiency programs helping customers make smart energy use decisions and this will continue," said Timothy Egan, President and CEO of the Canadian Gas Association. "The Government's commitment to the ecoENERGY retrofit program will further help Canadians implement energy-saving projects and reap the many benefits of greater energy efficiency." The budget allocated significant support for clean energy technology innovation and energy efficiency efforts. "Natural gas isn't just an abundant domestic resource, it is an affordable, safe, reliable, and clean source of energy for buildings and communities, large industry, power generation, and transportation," said Egan "Today's announcements encourages partnerships between the federal government and the private sector, like natural gas utilities, to develop, test, and demonstrate new innovative energy using equipment technology. These kinds of partnerships will support high-quality jobs for Canadians and the growth of an energy technology innovation industry", said Egan. Natural gas has a central place in Canada's energy mix today meeting 30 per cent of the country's energy needs. Today over six million customers representing well over half the Canadian population rely on natural gas for heat and power in homes, apartments, buildings, businesses, hospitals and schools. CGA is the voice of Canada's natural gas distribution industry and its members are distribution companies, transmission companies, equipment manufacturers and other service providers. The website of the Canadian Gas Association, provides information, facts, and useful tools on this important Canadian strategic asset. For further information:

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