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Energy-efficiency upgrades coming to Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation
February 12, 2018 — The government of Alberta says it has partnered with Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency and lower utility expenses.
February 12, 2018 By Ellen Cools
(Left to right) Coun. Raymond Cardinal With support from Alberta’s Indigenous Energy Efficiency (Retrofit) Program, a new local grocery store and six homes will be built with upgraded energy-efficiency features.
As a result of the grant, the new grocery store will have LED lighting, better insulation and a high-efficiency refrigeration system that will recycle heat back into the building. The new homes will have spray foam insulation, high-quality windows and doors, programmable thermostats, low-flow plumbing and Energy Star appliances.
These features will prevent up to 90 tonnes of greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere each year and save the community up to an average of 25% in electricity and heating costs per year over the next 25 years, says the Alberta government.
“Being able to build these projects to be energy-efficient will save our community money and help combat climate change. Energy-efficient homes will lower the cost of utilities and an energy-efficient grocery store will reduce operating costs. Those savings can be reflected in prices so people can eat healthy for less, which hasn’t always been possible in our remote community,” said Allan Adam, Chief, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation.
Alberta’s Indigenous Energy Efficiency (Retrofit) Program is a new provincial grant initiative to help Indigenous communities reduce their energy expenses and reduce greenhouse gases.
The $636,460 grant is part of $35 million in funding available this fiscal year through various streams, including the Alberta Indigenous Energy Efficiency (Retrofit) Program, to meet the needs of Indigenous communities tackling climate change.
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