The buildings sector is responsible for just under 1/3 of end use demand in Canada and is well-positioned to capture an estimated 30% in energy efficiency improvement. Tracking the energy performance of buildings under 100,000 ft2, which account for 55% of the buildings expected to participate in the EWRB program, is a logical first step in capturing these savings.
A national low-carbon transition requires a tripling of energy efficiency from current levels. Energy savings will be largely driven by the provinces and territories, because they have jurisdiction over the most relevant policy areas, such as public utility regulation and building energy codes.
Given Newfoundland and Labrador’s experience with cost overruns related to the Muskrat Falls Project,3 it is incumbent upon the Commissioners to consider how similar experiences can be avoided in the future. This is why we recommend endorsing a principle of maximizing all cost-effective energy efficiency options before any supply side alternatives are considered.
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