Taking Charge: Saving Money, Making Jobs and Helping the Environment
Fifteen years ago, Nova Scotians declared war on waste – and made the province a world leader in reducing waste materials. Today, Nova Scotians are challenging themselves to become world leaders in reducing wasted energy. Through a new, dedicated organization called Efficiency Nova Scotia Corporation, Nova Scotians are investing millions of dollars to reduce energy demand – with remarkable results.
Since 2008, ENSC's programs have saved Nova Scotian businesses and households enough energy to power 36,000 average home. In 2011 alone, the reductions will be enough to power 18,000 homes. In addition, ENSC's incentives and rebates support the province's shift to renewable energy. Over the next 25 years, these programs will save Nova Scotians more than $1 billion – which means that the province will not need to build another coal-powered generating plant, ever.
Everyone wins. The benefits go directly into the pockets of Nova Scotians. A typical $250 household upgrade saves the family $120 a year, forever. A lighting retrofit at a single business achieved savings of nearly $90,000 a year. A junior high school is pocketing $13,000 annually – money that can be spent on books, computers and programs. Doing the upgrades means $30 million worth of work for small local companies, which are expanding, buying materials and hiring workers. And Nova Scotians are learning new things, developing new expertise, and using that new knowledge to spin off new businesses.
Little things that improve our lives: better lighting, better insulation, clean local power. But they all add up to leadership in the effort to sustain the planet. Greenhouse gas emissions don't just case global warming; they also create smog and acid rain, degrade the oceans, damage the health of humans and other beings. At 2011 targets, ENSC’s programs will reduce Nova Scotia's emissions by 130,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide, which is equivalent to taking 20,000 vehicles off the road. Energy conservation is the cheapest, most powerful way to do our part as citizens of the planet – and participating in the effort pays immediate rewards to every Nova Scotian business and every Nova Scotian family.
Since 2008, ENSC's programs have saved Nova Scotian businesses and households enough energy to power 36,000 average home. In 2011 alone, the reductions will be enough to power 18,000 homes. In addition, ENSC's incentives and rebates support the province's shift to renewable energy. Over the next 25 years, these programs will save Nova Scotians more than $1 billion – which means that the province will not need to build another coal-powered generating plant, ever.
Everyone wins. The benefits go directly into the pockets of Nova Scotians. A typical $250 household upgrade saves the family $120 a year, forever. A lighting retrofit at a single business achieved savings of nearly $90,000 a year. A junior high school is pocketing $13,000 annually – money that can be spent on books, computers and programs. Doing the upgrades means $30 million worth of work for small local companies, which are expanding, buying materials and hiring workers. And Nova Scotians are learning new things, developing new expertise, and using that new knowledge to spin off new businesses.
Little things that improve our lives: better lighting, better insulation, clean local power. But they all add up to leadership in the effort to sustain the planet. Greenhouse gas emissions don't just case global warming; they also create smog and acid rain, degrade the oceans, damage the health of humans and other beings. At 2011 targets, ENSC’s programs will reduce Nova Scotia's emissions by 130,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide, which is equivalent to taking 20,000 vehicles off the road. Energy conservation is the cheapest, most powerful way to do our part as citizens of the planet – and participating in the effort pays immediate rewards to every Nova Scotian business and every Nova Scotian family.
