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The City of Saint John has been announced as a finalist for a QUEST (Quality Urban Energy Systems of Tomorrow) along with North Vancouver and Richmond BC.
The Smart Energy Communities Awards are presented annually by QUEST – Quality Urban Energy Systems of Tomorrow – to recognize leadership and innovation in advancing Smart Energy Communities in Canada. Smart Energy Communities improve energy efficiency, enhance reliability, cut costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“We would like to congratulate all finalists,” said Brent Gilmour, Executive Director at QUEST. “The annual awards are an important opportunity to recognize leadership and innovation in developing Smart Energy Communities in Canada.”
“Today, more than ever, governments, utilities and energy service providers, the real-estate sector (owners, operators, builders), and the product and professional service sectors are developing the energy projects, buildings and neighborhoods that are defining Smart Energy Communities,” said Ken Ogilvie, Co-Chair of the Selection Committee. “Our awards provide an opportunity to recognize the best in their class.”
The Awards are presented in three principal Smart Energy Communities sectors: (1) Local Public Service Sector, (2) Real Estate Sector and (3) Utility and Energy Service Providers.
Saint John was recognized in the Local Public Service Sector category:
• The City of North Vancouver, BC for the Moodyville showcase community.
• The City of Richmond, BC for its Alexandra District Energy Utility – Clean, efficient energy for now and the future.
• The City of Saint John, NB for its Municipal Energy Efficiency Program – A collaborative municipal approach to environmental sustainability and fiscal accountability.
The City of Saint John is one of a few cities in Canada to have embarked on a Municipal Energy Efficiency Program (MEEP), and has been recognized on a regional and national level for leadership in environment and energy efficiency.
As of 2015, efforts to conserve energy through the MEEP have resulted in an energy savings of over $2.3 million, and a greenhouse gas emissions reduction of approximately 27 per cent or 9,500 tons of CO2. This is equivalent to roughly 600 houses using electricity for heat and lights.
“We had a very strong group of nominations this year that demonstrated exciting work happening at the community level and we would like to thank all those who submitted an application,” said Yves Hennekens, Co-Chair of the Selection Committee.
The Awards will be presented at QUEST’s 10th Annual Conference and Tradeshow – Smart Energy Communities for Jobs, Infrastructure and Climate Change taking place October 17-19 at the Westin, Calgary.
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