Energy Efficiency Alberta rebate programs cut by province

“Our continued focus will be to deliver excellent service to Albertans with approved applications and work toward the design of new programming,” a statement on the company’s website reads.

The program was established by the NDP government in 2017, and was funded through the carbon tax. It provided rebates for homeowners and businesses to install products to help improve the energy efficiency of the home or building, such as solar panels and insulation.

Companies in Medicine Hat are taking a close look at their business operations in the wake of the changes.

Obi Sadden, owner of Energy Plus Insulation, says he expects the decision will have an impact on the local economy, noting he has already had to lay off one employee.

“As an insulation company that has insulated many homes in Medicine Hat through the Energy Efficiency Alberta Rebate Program, I was disappointed, but it didn’t come as a big surprise,” he said. “How it will affect our company is that we will have to lay off men, and for some companies, I imagine it will cause them to have to close the doors. Their business will not exist.”

Sadden says the loss of the Energy Efficiency Alberta program means it becomes more expensive for homeowners and businesses to participate in these projects.

“If you’re insulating two of these houses per day, there is going to be less people that can afford to make their homes energy efficient,” he said.

Sadden, a supporter of both the environment and the petroleum industry, and says both groups need to come together to find solutions.

“I believe there is no reason they cannot work together, the environment and our natural resources, to bring Alberta back to prosperity,” he said.

Marcus Campbell, owner of Terralta, speaks to CHAT Television on November 1, 2019. – Photo by Ross Lavigne

Marcus Campbell, owner/operator of Terralta, says his company has received lots of interest from customers to install solar panels at homes and businesses.

He adds he is disappointed by the decision to end the rebate program, but feels the company will be able to handle the loss.

“We have taken strategic steps to make sure we’re sheltered from it,” he said. “We’re very close to grid parity when it comes to solar energy, and I think there’s a shift in people’s mentality where a grant isn’t necessarily the turning point in somebody installing a solar system.”

Campbell adds his company has diversified to include electrical work, plumbing, geothermal work and agriculture.

“If you’re not diversified in your day to day operations, you’re stuck on one or two items,” he said. “For us, it’s about diversification, implementing energy-conscious ideas in a number of different facets. Whether it be plumbing, electrical or the solar side, we feel like we’ve got a good handle on that.”

CHAT News reached out to Jason Nixon, the Minister of Environment and Parks, for a comment on the decision, but he was not available for comment. Jess Sinclair, a spokesperson for the Alberta government, noted the United Conservative Party campaigned on removing the carbon tax during the provincial election.

“Our government campaigned on cancelling the NDP’s consumer carbon tax on Albertans, including programs funded by the NDP’s tax-grab,” the statement from Sinclair reads. “Albertans made it clear over the course of the election that they have no interest in taxpayer-subsidized free lightbulb and low-flow showerhead schemes.”

Sinclair confirms the government will continue to honour contractual obligations to fund projects already approved through the program.

Energy Efficiency Alberta, according to a post on its website, says they created $850 million dollars in economic growth and $692 million in energy savings and emissions reductions.

by Charles Lefebvre

Energy Efficiency Alberta rebate programs cut by province

Our Community