Government of Canada supports training for solar energy workers

Workers in Canada's growing solar-energy sector will receive additional skills support from the Government of Canada, the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Natural Resources, announced on December 8.

Full story: Solar

Ontario Environmental Commissioner looks for long-term emission reductions in challenging times

According to the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario (ECO), now is no time to shirk the province's commitment to managing climate change goals. And the reductions met by the province must be understood as permanent or transitory (based on economic conditions).

Full story: ECO

COLUMN

Deploying clean energy
Overcoming regulatory barriers for your clean energy project.
By Thomas R. Casten

Many of the world’s best brains are focused on reducing fossil fuel use to mitigate climate change. Strangely, little attention is paid to the source of the greatest inefficiency — the generation of heat and power, which accounts for 69 per cent of carbon dioxide emissions. Capturing and recycling the currently wasted energy could displace nearly 30 per cent of U.S. fossil-fueled generation, slash U.S. CO2 by 20 per cent, and save $150 to $250 billion per year. 

Full story: Clean energy

FEATURES

Southbrook Vineyards Achieves LEED Gold

Southbrook Vineyards announced on December 16th it has been granted LEED Gold certification for its new hospitality pavilion in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system is a third-party certification program and an internationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. Southbrook Vineyards’ certification was granted on November 7, 2008 by the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC). “We recognize our neighbours, Stratus Vineyards, for ‘LEEDing’ the way, and raising our awareness of these standards and certification. But this is one ‘club’ that we don’t want to be exclusive,” said Bill Redelmeier, co-owner of Southbrook. “We are proud to show this leadership and hope that, soon, more people will recognize this as the only way to build.”

Full story: Southbrook

Annual GeoExchange Excellence and Leadership awards announced

The Canadian GeoExchange Coalition recently announced the winners of the 3rd GeoExchange Excellence and Leadership awards. In total, more than 20 applications were submitted and pre-selected though a number of technical criteria including:
• innovation, originality and complexity of the work in relation to the building use;
• technical difficulties encountered / solved in the project; demonstrated energy savings;
• to what extent the project influences building design in Canada and a more extensive use of geothermal energy;
• whether the project forms part of a global energy efficiency plan; and
• comfort for occupants and users.

Full story: GeoExchange

CALENDAR

January 15
Ontario Energy Network Luncheon
Paul Murphy, President and CEO of the Independent Electricity System Operator
www.ontarioenergynetwork.org

January 26-27
Climate Change Strategies for a Changing Environment
Metropolitan Hotel
Toronto, Ontario
Find out what regulations affect your business, what it will take to comply, and what your peers are doing to reduce emissions, increase energy efficiency and manage their stakeholders.
www.conferenceboard.ca

January 27-28
BC Power
Green Policy, Meeting Future Energy Demands and Preserving Affordability
Four Seasons
Vancouver, B.C.
BC has always been recognized for its forward thinking when it comes to environmental stewardship so it is not surprising that the province is being 'climate conscious' about its current and future power portfolio. How are new regulations going to affect your business? What opportunities exist for new power projects?
www.canadianinstitute.com/environment/bcpower.htm

March 10-11
Sixth Annual B.C. Power Summit
Wosk Centre for Dialogue
Vancouver, B.C.
This program covers issues of strategic interest to the B.C. economy. Topics include: renewable and alternative energy options, clean power potential in B.C., and new developments in demand side management.
www.insightinfo.com

April 7-8
Carbon TradeEx America
Convention Center
Washington, D.C.
Koelnmesse hosts this keystone trade fair and conference for all current and future players in the Carbon Market. The Carbon Markets and Investors Association (CMIA) is partnering with Koelnmesse to make this the premiere Carbon Market conference and trade show in the U.S.
carbontradeexamerica.com

April 20-21
Energy Matters Summit
Delta Meadowvale Resort and Conference Centre
Mississauga, ON
Hosted by the Region of Peel, Energy Matters provides delegates the opportunity to deliberate drivers and barriers to long-term energy planning and learn about the newest opportunities in sustainable corporate strategies.
www.peelregion.ca