Province Launches Energy-efficient Lighting Projects
The province is making it easier for commercial and institutional building owners to switch to energy-efficient lighting.
Conserve Nova Scotia is investing $1 million in a new program, Smart Lighting Choices, that subsidizes the cost difference between energy-efficient, High Performance T8 (HPT8)lighting products and regular T8 and T12 lighting products. Conserve Nova Scotia is partnering with electrical distributors provincewide to offer an instant rebate on qualifying HPT8 products.
"These energy-efficient lighting systems can save up to 40 per cent in energy costs, compared to traditional T12 systems," said Richard Hurlburt, Minister responsible for Conserve Nova Scotia, today, Feb. 15, in Yarmouth. "This program lets commercial lighting consumers buy a premium, energy-efficient product at a standard price, without the paperwork."
To demonstrate its commitment to greening government initiatives, Conserve Nova Scotia is investing an additional $400,000 to upgrade older lighting technology at Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) campuses.
"The Smart Lighting Choices program shows that sustainable prosperity is something we can achieve without tossing aside our existing infrastructure," said Karen Casey, Minister of Education. "That's an important message as we move towards a green future."
NSCC president Joan McArthur-Blair said the college is committed to environmental sustainability.
"Conserve Nova Scotia's Smart Lighting Choices program will form an important part of NSCC's on-going effort to reduce energy consumption," said Ms. McArthur-Blair. "It's also an important reminder that some solutions are at our fingertips; literally at the flick of a switch."
Conserve Nova Scotia's investment in NSCC will cut energy use by about one million kilowatt hours per year, or about $100,000 annually. Carbon emissions will be reduced by about 850 tonnes.
The savings will be the direct result of replacing older fluorescent lighting systems with energy-efficient, high- performance lamps and ballasts and converting inefficient, incandescent exit lights with long-lasting, light emitting diode (LED) technology.
Under the partnership agreement, NSCC will be responsible for the installation of the new lights and the disposal of the old lights using environmentally friendly methods. Conserve Nova Scotia is funding the purchase of two crushing units to help NSCC with the disposal of the fluorescent bulbs.
"Nova Scotia has a goal of having one of the cleanest environments in the world by 2020," said Mr. Hurlburt. "Smart Lighting Choices brings us that much close to achieving this goal. Projects like these are key to protecting our environment, one of the province's five immediate priorities outlined in the throne speech."
Visit www.conservens.ca/slc for more information on the Smart Lighting Choices program or for a list of participating distributors in Nova Scotia.