SURREY, B.C. - In B.C. households that spend a large share of their annual income on necessities including shelter and food, energy affordability is an important issue. Access to affordable and effective energy conservation programs is one of the keys to helping these low-income households reduce energy use, save money, and take part in the culture of conservation in the province.

 

Overcoming barriers to energy conservation for low-income households is the goal of a unique forum in Vancouver today. The first-ever Affordable Energy Conservation Forum brings together non-profit groups, the business sector and energy utilities to find tangible solutions to increase access to energy efficiency programs.

 

“This forum is about turning care into action,” says Doug Stout, Terasen Gas Vice President of Marketing and Business Development. “Working together, we can identify ways for low-income households to have access to appropriate energy conservation programs that help them stay warm and comfortable, save energy and money.”

 

Sponsored by BC Hydro, eaga, FortisBC, Pacific Northern Gas, Terasen Gas and Vancity, this meeting includes participants from BC Housing, BC Public Interest Advocacy Centre, City Green Solutions, Fraser Basin Council, city planners, non-profit groups and First Nations. The forum is structured to allow concerned stakeholders to present their ideas and initiatives, to share common concerns, and to develop workable solutions.

 

“The widespread integration of energy efficiency practices into the non-profit housing sector's operations still faces numerous financial and operational barriers,” says Natasha Jategaonkar, Research Director for the BC Non-Profit Housing Association. “We look forward to collaborating with a diverse group at the forum to identify ways of overcoming these barriers for the mutual benefit of the sector and low-income households across the province.”

 

Panel discussions will be complemented by an extensive group of local, national and international invited experts, including representatives from the Carrier Chilcotin Tribal Council, B.U.I.L.D. and Pacific Gas & Electric of California.

 

“For City Green, this multi-stakeholder forum provides an important opportunity to emphasize the social, economic and environmental benefits of including energy efficiency as a key component to a comprehensive low-income and affordable housing program,” says Britt Karlstrom, Program Coordinator for City Green Solutions.

 

Participants will leave the forum armed with concrete steps to develop a ‘made in B.C.’ strategy to address improving efficiency for low-income families with a focus on opportunities for increased coordination and collaboration among key stakeholders.

 

 

Media contact:
Michael Chisholm

Terasen Gas Inc.
Corporate Communications Manager
Phone: (604) 592-7801
E-mail: michael.chisholm@terasengas.com