EDMONTON — The Alberta and federal governments have announced a commitment of $280 million in funding to support a range of emission reduction programs for small, medium and large industries in the province.
Funding includes $180 million from the province’s industry-funded Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) fund and up to $100 million from the federal government’s Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund (LCELF).
The Government of Alberta will put up to $55 million towards Emission Reduction Alberta’s (ERA) Energy Savings for Business program, which targets small and medium-sized industrial and commercial facilities through the TIER fund.
The TIER fund will leverage $30 million in funds with public and private investment including $25 million from the federal Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund. Alberta businesses will be eligible for funding to cover a portion of their costs for cost-saving and emission reduction projects once the program launches in January 2021.
An ERA release said “businesses such as manufacturing facilities, agricultural operations, office buildings, and fabrication shops can cut costs and reduce emissions by adopting modern building systems and updating facility operations, enabling smarter energy use and less waste,” and will need local contractors such as HVAC businesses, insulation companies, installers and electricians.
The Energy Savings for Business program will target industrial and commercial facilities requiring financial assistance to invest in energy savings and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction. Program applicants are eligible for up to $250,000 per project to a maximum of $500,000 per company.
“Alberta businesses want to modernize their operations to reduce costs and emissions. The Energy Savings for Business program will increase the accessibility and adoption of sustainable energy efficiency technologies. It will also stimulate new economic opportunities in Alberta’s growing clean tech sector,” ERA CEO Steve MacDonald said in a statement.
Projects can include commercially available energy-efficient upgrades such as HVAC technologies, weatherization, hot water systems, indoor/outdoor commercial and industrial lighting and control systems, and alternate power source, the release stated. Details about the Energy Savings for Business program are available online.
Approximately $100 million will also go to the ERA’s Shovel Ready Challenge through the TIER fund, with up to $50 million of additional funds through the LCELF.
The Shovel-Ready Challenge will provide financial support to companies ready to implement technologies applying to both greenfield and brownfield operations.
“ERA is seeking commercial demonstration and deployment projects that have the highest potential to immediately create economic stimulus and environmental resiliency,” the release stated. Projects must begin within 60 days of funding approval and outcomes are required to include commercial demonstration or deployment of technologies in operational environments.
New projects and projects at early stages of execution that have been initiated but stalled due to the current economic situation are also eligible to apply, the release stated.
“The TIER system is key to Alberta’s economic recovery, supporting projects that cut emissions, attract investment, keep industry competitive and get Albertans back to work. This investment comes at a critical time when Alberta must be bold in driving economic recovery,” Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said.
Successful applicants are eligible for up to $15 million with a minimum request of $2 million. Applications are open for all categories of applicants with shovel-ready projects including industry associations, operators, entrepreneurs, technology providers and municipalities.
“Projects can include mobility and transportation solutions, low-emitting electricity generation, high efficiency equipment, optimization of agriculture and forestry operations, methane emissions management, waste heat utilization, low carbon industrial heat, fuel switching, alternative feedstocks, carbon capture, utilization and sequestration,” the release added.
Projects can involve components from outside Alberta, but all technology demonstration and deployment activities must take place within the province. The application deadline is Dec. 22 and details are available on the ERA website.
A Partnership Intake Program will use up to $75 million in TIER and LCELF funding of continued support of emissions reduction projects involving energy efficiency, hydrogen, geothermal, natural gas and nature-based solutions. Applications for the program and the Shovel-Ready program are already open.
Recent Comments
comments for this post are closed