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(File Photo/paNOW Staff)
Going Green

Fund aims to help business lower emissions

Aug 2, 2019 | 8:55 AM

The Government of Canada is looking to help small and medium sized businesses in Saskatchewan go green.

The Climate Action Incentive Fund will be available to businesses in provinces where the federal government has imposed a carbon tax. The money distributed from the fund is part of what was collected via the carbon tax.

Specifically, the fund will make money available to businesses looking to undertake projects like building retrofits ranging all the way to more energy efficient waste management.

Dan Yungwirth, general manager of Miller Contracting and second vice president with the Prince Albert Construction Association said he likes any program which encourages business to invest is something he can get behind.

“We’ve seen in the past that residential energy retro fit programs have worked very well in achieving some goals of energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reductions and I can see the same thing happening for the commercial sector as well,” he said.

The funding can cover up to 25 per cent of eligible costs, with a minimum of $20,000 and to a maximum of $250,000. According to the federal government, $21.3 million is expected to be available for businesses in Saskatchewan.

Yungwirth said some of the potential upgrades cover a wide range of areas, which means possible work for a diverse range of trades’ people.

“Anything that can stimulate some demand of our services is welcome by our industry for sure,” he said.

The initiative is also getting a positive review from Devon Ambros of Solarcore Energy. Ambros thinks the fund will have a positive impact on his industry.

“I think this is a really important incentive for the solar industry because it does really bring costs down,” he said.

Ambros said combined with the other incentives currently available, some businesses could save anywhere from 50 to 70 per cent of their system costs.

MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn

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