School District 57 is the winner of FortisBC’s 2023 Efficiency in Action Award in the medium commercial category.
“SD57 received approximately $245,000 in incentives for implementing more than 25 different applications across the district. These energy-efficiency upgrades are expected to save approximately 8,900 GJ annually,” FortisBC’s website says. “SD57 used some of the funding it received to install new high-efficiency condensing boilers and a tankless water heater in one of its schools. It also used funds for further improvements to HVAC ventilation, controls and more.”
In addition to School District 57, other winners included the Fort Nelson First Nation, New Chelsea Society, QuadReal Property Group, Town of Creston, Provincial Health Services Authority, Canada Place Corporation, BC Care Providers Association & EngAge BC, Kalesnikoff Lumber Company and Bates Restaurants Ltd.
Collectively the award winners reduced their power consumption by approximately 80,000 gigajoules of natural gas and 1.6 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year – enough to power 60 homes for a year. The natural gas reduction is enough to heat more than 800 homes for year, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 4,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year – equivalent to taking 1,200 gasoline-powered vehicles off the road.
“Energy efficiency remains one of the most effective and affordable ways to reduce GHG emissions, and the efforts of the winning organizations represent some of the best work we’re seeing in this area,” FortisBC vice-president Joe Mazza said in a statement released on Friday. “We’re thrilled to highlight the ongoing efforts of these organizations through these awards.”
FortisBC provided more than $4.5 million in incentives to the winning organizations, to help cover the upfront costs of the power-saving measures.
