Alberta emissions regulator still accepting applications for reduction incentive program

EDMONTON—Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) has announced small and medium-sized companies have until March 31, 2023 to apply to its Energy Savings for Business program.

The program offers incentives to Alberta businesses and non-profits to choose commercially available high-efficiency products and onsite energy generation technologies, with up to $250,000 available for each project with a new maximum total of $1 million per parent company.

“The Energy Savings for Business Program supports a critical component of the economy — small- and medium-sized businesses. The program will give Alberta companies and contractors fast access to cost-effective incentives. It will accelerate the adoption of technologies that significantly reduce GHGs and help position Alberta as a leader in sustainable resource and energy use,” ERA chief operating officer Heather Stephens said in a statement.

The $55 million program has, after a year on the market, supported over 800 projects from small and medium-sized companies, an ERA release stated. Funding is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until fully committed. All projects must be constructed by the new deadline of March 31, 2023.

“From a sustainability standpoint, the reduction of greenhouse gases is a priority for us, but this also helps to reduce our utility costs and makes us a more efficient business. Having support from this program has helped get these projects across the finish line,” Lafarge Northern Alberta environment and public affairs manager William Gowdy said.

The program is open to all industries and businesses except new construction, federal and provincially owned buildings, the institutional sector (municipalities, universities, schools and hospitals), and large emitters as defined under the Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) Regulation, Alberta’s industrial greenhouse gas emissions pricing regulation and emissions trading system.

“Sense Engineering has submitted multiple applications to the ESB program and our customers are keen to take advantage of the incentives. The ESB support team has been quick to respond and helpful in managing our various applications, regardless of the complexity,” added Sense Engineering project associates Mack Grigg.

The Alberta government is funding up to $30 million for the program through the TIER fund. Up to $25 million in additional funds will also be available from the Government of Canada’s Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund. This support will be leveraged with private funding.