Latest news with #EnergyandClimateAction
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
P.E.I. government reducing many of its energy efficiency rebates as of Monday
Prince Edward Islanders who invest in some energy efficiency measures will get lower rebates from the provincial government starting Monday, while amounts offered to help pay for insulation and window and door replacement will go up. The province announced the changes to its Net Zero and efficiencyPEI rebates on Thursday, after it paused accepting new applications for some programs earlier in the year. "We're trying to balance fiscal responsibility — staying within the budgets that we have in the division — while maximizing our return on investment," said Derek Ellis, the director of sustainability for the province's Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action. That means "moving some investments away from some of the poorer-performing programs from an energy savings and greenhouse gas emission reductions perspective and over to the higher-performing programs," he said. As a result, the amount of money Island homeowners will get for installing heat pumps, buying electric vehicles and putting in solar panels is set to decrease. The province will also pause new applications for free heat pumps, free insulation and free electric hot water heaters due to high demand, a news release said. The province measures the cost effectiveness of its programs based on dollar spent per ton of greenhouse gas emission elimination, as well as dollar per kilowatt hour saved, Ellis said. "We have a good idea of how [programs] perform over time and have made some changes in response to that," he said. Popular programs The province has seen a lot of uptake on its heat pump and solar panel rebates, Ellis said, adding that the province is happy to continue offering rebates to homeowners on those items, at a lower rate. The heat pump rebate for residential properties is set to decrease from $1,200 to $900 per unit, while the solar panel program will see a change in incentive rate and a rebate capped at $5,000 for solar panels installed on a home, compared to the prior $10,000 cap. People wanting solar panels who were previously approved by the province will get the old amount, while anyone who applied on or after Jan. 8, 2025, will get the new amount if they are deemed eligible. "Incentives and caps for commercial and agricultural clients will remain the same," the news release adds with regard to solar panels. "Rebates on energy-efficient equipment for business, community, commercial and industrial buildings [are] increasing, including air source heat pump rebate increasing from $600 to $900. Rebates are also increasing for selected lighting and for packaged terminal heat pumps." Rebates for the purchase of electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles have been popular, particularly in Charlottetown and Summerside, Ellis said. While the amount of those rebates are going down, annual registration of those vehicles will still be free. Ellis also said the province will not be making changes to its infrastructure plans to support EVs, citing projects underway to create more fast charging stations in communities across the Island. Some rebates the same or higher Some of the energy efficiency and rebate programs will continue unchanged, including the e-bike incentive, instant rebates on appliances, and the provincial subsidy for home energy audits. As well, the provincial news release says, there will be a "40 per cent increase in rebates for insulation for attics, walls, basements, headers, exposed floors, windows and doors, and air sealing." As for new home construction, the news release said, "incentives will be increased and re-aligned to match national building code tiers, so people will get more money back." Ellis said the province tries to stay in line with the latest trends and best practices to help Islanders minimize energy costs. "Where we can make life more affordable and also reduce energy and GHG [greenhouse gas] emissions, we will always make the case for that, and ultimately the decision-makers here in government will have the final say."
CBC
22-03-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Province warns Islanders to be careful with flames as forest fire season begins
Social Sharing The Prince Edward Island government is reminding people to be cautious with outside burning as the wildfire season begins. Fire precaution measures went into effect March 15 and will run until Nov. 15. Environment, Energy and Climate Action Minister Gilles Arsenault is asking Islanders not to do anything to spark a damaging blaze. "Please don't feed the wildfires," the minister was quoted as saying in a news release. "P.E.I. had a few forest fires last year, and thankfully the damage was minimal. "I hope all Islanders will recommit to taking the important steps to prevent forest fires." Although out-of-control fires are rare in P.E.I., communities have been growing more mindful of them, especially after major blazes in neighbouring Nova Scotia in 2023 destroyed more than 200 homes and consumed 25,000 hectares of forest. Late last year, some North Shore residents gathered to discuss lingering risks from decaying branches and fallen trees after 2022's post-tropical storm Fiona, fearing the debris could fuel fires. Precautions when burning fires Permits are not required to light recreational campfires on Prince Edward Island, though the province urges people to check and obey municipal fire restrictions at all times. Permits are not needed for domestic brush burning either, but fires can't be ignited until after 2 p.m. and have to extinguished by 8 a.m. the next morning. Other advice on remaining safe when burning brush: Ensure fires are small and preferably contained in a fire pit or other approved outdoor burning structure; Ensure you have resources near at hand when starting a fire (water, fire suppression tools, other people); Remain near the fire for a while after it has died down to make sure it doesn't re-ignite; and Keep a fully charged phone with you in case of emergency. Islanders should call 911 to report a wildfire or a brush fire that has gotten out of control.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Province warns Islanders to be careful with flames as forest fire season begins
The Prince Edward Island government is reminding people to be cautious with outside burning as the wildfire season begins. Fire precaution measures went into effect March 15 and will run until Nov. 15. Environment, Energy and Climate Action Minister Gilles Arsenault is asking Islanders not to do anything to spark a damaging blaze. "Please don't feed the wildfires," the minister was quoted as saying in a news release. "P.E.I. had a few forest fires last year, and thankfully the damage was minimal. "I hope all Islanders will recommit to taking the important steps to prevent forest fires." Although out-of-control fires are rare in P.E.I., communities have been growing more mindful of them, especially after major blazes in neighbouring Nova Scotia in 2023 destroyed more than 200 homes and consumed 25,000 hectares of forest. Late last year, some North Shore residents gathered to discuss lingering risks from decaying branches and fallen trees after 2022's post-tropical storm Fiona, fearing the debris could fuel fires. Precautions when burning fires Permits are not required to light recreational campfires on Prince Edward Island, though the province urges people to check and obey municipal fire restrictions at all times. Permits are not needed for domestic brush burning either, but fires can't be ignited until after 2 p.m. and have to extinguished by 8 a.m. the next morning. Other advice on remaining safe when burning brush: Ensure fires are small and preferably contained in a fire pit or other approved outdoor burning structure; Ensure you have resources near at hand when starting a fire (water, fire suppression tools, other people); Remain near the fire for a while after it has died down to make sure it doesn't re-ignite; and Keep a fully charged phone with you in case of emergency. Islanders should call 911 to report a wildfire or a brush fire that has gotten out of control.
