Incentives for energy-efficient buildings extended to 2007

The federal government has announced it will extend programs to provide financial aid to companies who make their buildings more energy efficient.
The two Government of Canada programs the Commercial Building Incentive Program (CBIP) for new buildings and the Energy Innovators Initiative (EII) for existing buildings are both housed within NRCan. These initiatives represent $104 million of the $1-billion investment announced in August to implement the Climate Change Plan for Canada.
The CBIP program has been extended to March 3, 2007, with funding of $47 million. It offers a financial incentive of up to $60,000 for new commercial and institutional buildings that are designed to be at least 25 per cent more energy-efficient than a building designed to the requirements of the Model National Energy Code for Buildings
The Energy Innovators Initiative offers energy retrofit assistance for existing commercial and institutional buildings. New changes announced last month include special considerations for Aboriginal, northern, rural, remote and complex projects. In addition to funds for retrofit planning and implementation, the $57 million has incentives for refrigeration and equipment through related programs. The initiative is also available until 2007.
Details are available at oee.nrcan.gc.ca/buildings , or by calling 1-800 O-Canada.
(1 800 622-6232), TTY 1 800 465-7735.