February 2012
Vol. 6

1. Most energy efficient town/city halls in Canada
2. Making energy visible through street art – the tidy street project
3. The family eco-challenge – the conclusion of “energy month”
4. An energy efficient tree lighting ceremony  
   
5. Premier’s Award for Energy Efficiency nominations
6. Upcoming workshop – energy efficiency opportunities for arenas
7. Upcoming webinar – renewable energy choices for municipal action
   

MOST ENERGY EFFICIENT TOWN/CITY HALLS IN CANADA

In December 2011, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) released the top 15 most energy efficient town/city hall in Canada from the Town Hall Challenge. Three of New Brunswick’s municipalities made the list.  Congratulations to the Town of Rothesay, the City of Fredericton and the City of Dieppe! If you wish to stay up to date on the next challenge and other municipal energy-saving initiatives underway contact Brian Dundas to be included in the Mayors' Megawatt Challenge mailing list.

MAKING ENERGY VISIBLE THROUGH STREET ART – THE TIDY STREET PROJECT

During March and April 2011, participating households in Tidy Street, Brighton, UK recorded their electricity consumption online. The daily average usage of participants was marked on a large street display which showed how Tidy Street compared to the average Brighton household’s electricity usage. After three weeks, the street average energy use had already dropped by 15% with some households reaching 30%. What a great example of how harnessing neighbourly peer support can help change behaviour! For more information, contact Yvonne Rogers.

THE FAMILY ECO-CHALLENGE – THE CONCLUSION OF “ENERGY MONTH”
The New Brunswick Department of Environment, in partnership with the Canadian Standards Association and Efficiency NB, is collaborating with 30 families to take part in an awareness challenge on climate change. This year, the challenge was launched on January 9^th, starting with the energy challenge. Stay tuned – the activities of the challenge will also focus on other themes such as transportation, waste, water, and measures to help you adapt to a changing environment. The progress of participating families can be followed online. The challenge will conclude June 1, 2012 and results will be available during summer 2012.

 

AN ENERGY EFFICIENT TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
In November 2011, the Town of Quispamsis promoted the use of energy efficient Christmas Lights during their tree lighting ceremony. Residents were able to donate $1 to the local food bank and receive a strand of energy efficient LED lights.  In total, the Town gave away 120 strands of Christmas lights. If all Quispamsis residents exchanged one strand of incandescent Christmas Lights with a strand of LED lights, residents could save up to $201,396 on energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 185 tonnes.

PREMIER’S AWARD FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY NOMINATIONS
On February 15 Efficiency NB will begin accepting nominations for its fourth annual Premier’s Awards for Energy Efficiency  which will be presented on May 10 in Fredericton. These awards recognize communities, companies, organizations and individuals for their innovation and achievement in the field of energy efficiency. If you wish to highlight outstanding practices in the field of energy efficiency, consider nominating an individual, business or a community for an award.  Watch for Efficiency NB’s email containing information about the call for nominations. Take a look at a clip of last year’s award ceremony.

UPCOMING WORKSHOP – ENERGY EFFICIENCY OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARENAS
Back by popular demand! Efficiency NB will be hosting a one day workshop to explore energy efficiency opportunities for arenas. During this one-day session, participants will learn how to maximize energy savings and reduce costs. English and French workshops will take place on February 23 and 24 in Quispamsis. Click here for more information and/or to register.  
 
UPCOMING WEBINAR – RENEWABLE ENERGY CHOICES FOR MUNICIPAL ACTION
On February 23 (12 – 1:30 p.m. EST), the Federation of Canadian Municipalities will be hosting a webinar where you will be introduced to some of the renewable energy sources and technologies available in the Canadian landscape for heating and cooling and power generation. These include biomass, geothermal heat pumps and solar energy. The webinar also discusses the realization of renewables in the municipal context as well as the potential challenges in their application.  This webinar is free of charge, click here to register.