Energy Efficiency Excellence Awards Honour Leadership, Innovation and Collaboration
In a sentence, NB Power President and CEO Gaëtan Thomas sums up the reasons why household consumers and business owners should focus on energy efficiency measures and technologies.
“The cheapest and most environmentally friendly electricity, by far, is the electricity you don’t use,” says Thomas.
Thomas says it’s a message that’s resonating with New Brunswickers concerned both about rising energy costs and climate change.
NB Power’s Energizing Efficiency Conference May 23 – 24 in Fredericton will bring together efficiency experts and individuals, businesses, and communities to share best practices and strategies for managing energy use.
During the conference, Thomas says they will also celebrate leadership in energy efficiency in New Brunswick.
“We’re really excited to present our Energy Efficiency Excellence Awards during our first ever Energizing Efficiency Conference,” he says. “We want to recognize and celebrate New Brunswickers for their leadership, innovation and collaboration in the field of energy efficiency.”
The nominations close April 20 for awards in six categories: Legacy, Innovation, Partnership, Community, Rising Star, and Education.
“This is about celebrating New Brunswickers. We want to recognize leaders in the energy efficiency and conservation fields – that means communities, businesses, and especially individuals” he says.
Thomas says by adopting “smart habits” people can lower demand and lessen the need for costly new power generating facilities. NB Power has launched new initiatives like the Small Business Lighting Program to help finance and support customers through the process of making buildings more energy efficient.
“Our customers will benefit from lower costs, stable rates and help the province avoid the cost of building new expensive infrastructure in the future by changing the way they consume electricity,” he says.
Thomas says these investments are also good for local economies across the province because they create jobs for contractors and independent consultants and increase spending on materials.
“The investment is spread throughout the province,” he says. “So it’s not just investment in a new power plant in one community. It’s investments in every home and business that participates, and that creates local jobs, province-wide.”
Thomas knows that low, stable power rates for consumers are important. He believes the focus on energy efficiency is the best way to accomplish those goals. He says it also helps them cope with the increases that are implemented.
“It still hurts if there’s a small increase every year, so by helping customers be more efficient we’re helping them reduce their bills,” he says.
Ultimately, Thomas says the investments in energy efficiency will benefit consumers, the environment and job creation – a rare “triple-win,” he says, with award-winning individuals, communities and organizations leading the way.
“We invest now for the future to have the triple-win for the customers, the environment and win for the economy,” he says. “There are very few programs that hit all three that well at the same time.”
You can still nominate an individual, organization or business for an Energy Efficiency Excellence Award. The closing date for nominations is April 20 and the process is straightforward. For more information visit the web site: https://efficiencyawards.com/