EDMONTON — The City of Edmonton is launching several environmental rebates and tools focusing on environmental upgrades over the summer to stimulate the economy.
“The City of Edmonton is committed to delivering environmental programs that will help generate local economic opportunities and build toward a climate resilient future. Residents and businesses can benefit from immediate savings that will help kick start the economy, while also investing in upgrades that can provide long term benefits,” Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson said in a statement.
The Building Retrofit Accelerator rebate program facilitates renovations to improve energy efficiency in commercial and institutional buildings. Upgrades to HVAC systems, windows, lighting fixtures, building envelopes and more are eligible for rebates, up to $125,000 per building, per year. The buildings must be located within city limits, be larger than 10,000 square feet and have equipment installed from a list of eligible products.
Edmonton is also the first municipality in Canada to access a new rooftop solar potential platform in partnership with Google and MyHeat.
“This new tool provides a bird’s eye view of every rooftop and helps homeowners understand their solar potential and the environmental and financial benefits they can expect. Edmontonians ready to go solar are eligible for the Solar Rebate Program to save up to $4,000 towards the installation of a solar electric system for their home,” the City of Edmonton statement said.
Other programs include a rebate for residential and property owners interested in installing a Level 2electric vehicle charging station.
For residential properties the rebate will cover 50 per cent of the installed cost of the charger to a maximum of $600 for existing homes and $300 for new construction (up to one per household). The rebate will cover 50 per cent of the installed cost of the charger for commercial properties, to a maximum of $2,000 per charger (up to five per company).
The electric charger rebate is part of the Electric Vehicle Charger and Electric Bike rebate program, which will let Edmontonians interested in buying an e-bike apply for rebates covering 30 per cent of the cost of the vehicle to a maximum of $750. Applicants must show proof of residency in Edmonton and e-bikes must be purchased within 60 days of the rebate application.
I think the City should find more funding for the bike rebate program. There are so many more of us interested in this health promoting program. Finally some good news – too bad it was so short lived.