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By Tiffany Goodwein

City to examine program that would allow low interest loans for energy efficient upgrades

Apr 4, 2022 | 10:02 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB– The City of Medicine Hat will be moving ahead with exploring a program that would make it easier for Hatters to make energy efficient improvements to their homes.

Administered by the Alberta Municipal Services Corporation, The Clean Energy Improvement Program provides low-interest loans for home owners looking to install solar panels, or upgrade to more efficient furnaces, windows, or insulation.

The maximum loan eligible is $50,000 per residential property, $1,000,000 per non-residential property, and $300,000 per farmland property, and municipalities can reduce the limits, according to the city.

Coun. Allison Knodel said the program provides Hatters an accessible way to access energy efficient options in their home and signals a shift in attitudes towards greener energy in the city.

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“I think we have seen through Hat Smart, there is a lot of motivation to improve our homes and the amenities inside of our homes in order to become greener and more efficient, and this would do a similar thing, in that Hatters would have access to funding that would be paid back through property taxes,” she said.

The city of Edmonton, and the town of Rocky Mountain House already have the program up and running, while the City of Brooks, Town of Banff and Cochrane are in the initital stages.

In order to get the program up and running the city will have to engage with the Alberta Municipal Services Corporation, complete a market study and draft a bylaw which is dependant on Council approval. The process, takes about two years.

During the council meeting, Coun, Robert Dumanowski said he has already seen keen interest from residents and wondered if the city could get the program implemented faster.

” This is a game changer for a lot of people, I ‘ve heard that,” he said.

The City said they do wish to implement the program as soon as possible, but noted the Alberta Municipal Services Corporation, has been experiencing congestion due to vast interest in the program from other communities.

” We are somewhat at their timeline but we would look to be as ready as possible to ensure that it is a very short period as we can,” said managing director of strategic management and Analysis, Rochelle Pancoast.