Department of Energy Wins Award
The Nova Scotia Department of Energy has received the ENERHouse 2003 Partnership Recognition Award for promoting the efficient use of energy.
The award was presented to Energy Minister Ernest Fage today, Jan. 30, at the ENERHouse 2003 Conference in Halifax. The Nova Scotia Home Builders Association annual award is presented to a company or organization for support of the R-2000 HOME Program in Nova Scotia.
"Whether we're providing support to the R-2000 HOME Program, promoting energy efficiency programs, or supporting energy efficient audits of existing homes throughout the province, the Department of Energy continues to help Nova Scotians become more energy efficient at home," said Mr. Fage during his keynote address at the conference luncheon. "I'm pleased to accept this award on behalf of the province and the staff at the Department of Energy who are so committed to supporting energy efficiency initiatives that deliver real benefits to Nova Scotians."
"The Department of Energy's partnership with the Nova Scotia Home Builders Association has been an integral part of the R-2000 HOME Program in Nova Scotia," said Paul Pettipas, CEO of the Home Builders' Association. "It is through the support of such partners that we can build our program and continue to raise the awareness of R-2000 housing."
Mr. Fage said the home building industry can contribute to energy reduction goals set by the Kyoto accord. "Energy efficiency programs, such as the R-2000 HOME Program, make sense from both an economic and an environmental standpoint," he said, because some of the greenhouse gas reductions in Nova Scotia will have to come from more efficient use of energy.
Nova Scotia has built more R-2000 homes per capita than any other province in Canada.
In addition to the R-2000 HOME Program, the Department of Energy is a partner in other programs that help Nova Scotians use energy more efficiently, including: -- the Green Homes Initiative, a home energy evaluation program where technicians perform an efficiency audit to identify areas for home improvement -- Destination Conservation, a school-based program that encourages students to be more energy conscious, resulting in a lower utility bill for their school -- TRAX, a project that promotes environmentally friendly transportation alternatives to commuters.
For more information about these programs and others supported by the Department of Energy, visit the Web site at: www.gov.ns.ca/energy .
The Nova Scotia Home Builders Association is the provincial arm of the Canadian Home Builders Association, a national organization representing Canada's residential construction industry. Membership is comprised of builders, renovators, developers, trade contractors, building-material manufacturers and suppliers, mortgage lenders, and other professionals involved in the housing sector.