By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Clean energy upgrade program inspired by former city councillor

Apr 17, 2018 | 1:44 PM

New provincial legislation to establish a Property Assessed Clean Energy program was inspired by a former Red Deer city councillor.

Announced last week, An Act to Enable Clean Energy Programs would pave the way for the creation of a PACE program, whereby home and business owners could make their spaces more energy-efficient without putting any money down.

Last year, Paul Harris put forth a notice of motion to his city council colleagues proposing a program exactly like this. It was passed and subsequently advocated to the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association.

Through the program, financing for renewable energy or energy-efficient upgrades for things like solar panels or high-insulation windows would be available and repaid through the building owner’s property taxes.

“We know that Albertans care about taking action on climate change, and PACE will make it more affordable for them to do just that,” said Shaye Anderson, Minister of Municipal Affairs. “This is a win for our municipalities that will be able to implement these programs, a win for home and business owners, and a win for our economy.”

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Anderson thanked Paul Harris on Twitter for spearheading the concept here in Alberta.

Thanks Paul. You got the ball rolling. Much appreciated. https://t.co/zfFfSyJLVn

— shaye anderson (@sandersonNDP) April 13, 2018

The new PACE program is expected to stimulate the economy and create jobs, the Government says in a release.

It says in North America, every $1 million in PACE projects results in at least 15 new jobs and $2.5 million in economic output.

PACE was first implemented in California in 2008. There are also successful programs in Ontario, Nova Scotia and Quebec.

If passed, the legislation would come into effect early next year, but municipalities would still need to pass their own PACE bylaw before it would be available to residents.

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Clean energy upgrade program inspired by former city councillor

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