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Ontario investing in energy improvements at college and university campuses
February 15, 2018 — The Ontario government is investing in energy improvements at college and university campuses across the province.
February 15, 2018 By Ellen Cools
This investment is part of Ontario’s Climate Action Plan and is funded by proceeds from the province’s cap on pollution and carbon market.
Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development Mitzie Hunter and Minister of Environment and Climate Change Chris Ballard made the announcement. The funding is for publicly assisted colleges and universities to improve the energy efficiency of their campuses, including funding for:
• Installing energy-efficient windows and high-efficiency boiler replacements
• Larger retrofits, upgrades and new construction for projects that achieve emissions reductions and/or demonstrate innovative approaches to increase campus sustainability and reduce greenhouse gas pollution
• Projects that reduce energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and operating costs through interest-free loans
“By investing in repairs and retrofits on campuses across the province that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency, we can extend the life of valuable infrastructure and provide students with the best possible learning environment to pursue their goals and achieve their potential,” said Hunter.
In November 2017, Ontario issued a call for proposals from publicly-assisted colleges and universities for innovative approaches to increase campus sustainability.
In 2017-18, the Ontario government says it is investing over $214 million in grants and making $300 million available in interest-free loans to retrofit colleges and university facilities through the Greenhouse Gas Campus Retrofit Program.
Ontario’s carbon market proceeds are required by law to be invested in programs that help households, businesses and public institutions reduce greenhouse gas pollution.
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