Funding Announced to Support the City’s Corporate Climate Plan

City Council recently approved a major step forward in the Corporate Climate plan that will see infrastructure upgrades to 17 city-owned buildings. By improving energy efficiency and transitioning from oil to electricity the City will save $517,914 in energy costs annually.

A significant portion of the money required for the upgrades is available in the form of federal and provincial grants. The City of St. John’s received $1,696,853 from the Federal Government and $1,413,903 from the Provincial Government through Newfoundland and Labrador’s Climate Change Challenge Fund program. The program is part of the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund agreement, a joint agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

“I thank our provincial and federal government leaders and industry partners for funding to support this multi-million-dollar project,” says Mayor Danny Breen. “The City’s contribution of $6,661,630 will be recovered over a 15-year term with the energy cost savings that we will achieve with the upgrades. With this project, other ongoing improvements to the City’s buildings, and the provincial efforts to implement a low-carbon electricity grid, the City is on track to achieve over 70% of our Corporate 2030 target before 2025.”

This funding will be used to support the installation of electric heating systems, building envelope air sealing upgrades and the installation of automated control improvements. These combined measures will improve energy efficiency, reduce oil use by more than 346,667 litres per year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1,118 tonnes annually. This is equivalent to removing approximately 124 homes from oil heating, while adding only 26 homes with electricity.

The infrastructure upgrades will be completed through an Energy Performance Contract, which requires the contractor, Honeywell, to guarantee energy and cost savings. A detailed Building Energy Improvements Report outlines the project and energy savings guarantee. Upgrades are anticipated to be complete in two years.

“By working with the City of St. John’s, we can help the community save money on monthly operating costs and grow the economy, all while fighting climate change,” said Joanne Thompson, Member of Parliament on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. “Through the Low Carbon Economy Fund, the Government of Canada is partnering with climate leaders nationwide to cut emissions—and will continue to do so through a renewed commitment of an additional $2.2 billion, an important part of Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan. I applaud the leadership shown by the City of St. John’s for helping to keep our air clean and build resilient communities in Newfoundland and Labrador.”

“Every action taken to address climate change in our province contributes to the development of a green economy, moving Newfoundland and Labrador forward both environmentally and economically,” said Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. “The Provincial Government is pleased to support the City of St. John’s with this significant initiative and their commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating more energy efficient facilities.”

“We commend the City of St. John’s commitment to sustainability by making energy efficient infrastructure upgrades to their buildings,” said Byron Chubbs, Vice President, Engineering and Energy Supply, Newfoundland Power. “Funding through the Business Efficiency Program provides customers with the resources they need to use energy wisely which in turn helps them save money and reduce their impact on the environment.”

“This energy and infrastructure renewal program provides a means to implement improvements without adding cost,” said Daniel Legare, energy services leader, Canada, Honeywell. “We are pleased to help St John’s further its sustainability goals by using more efficient ways to operate their facilities. The City is taking a proactive role to reduce its energy use and greenhouse gas emissions as part of its commitments to its current and future residents.”

Further information is available in the backgrounder attached, and in the City Council agenda.

This project aligns with the City’s ten-year strategic plan, Our City, Our Future. The City of St. John’s is committed to being a city that is sustainable today and for future generations; economically, environmentally, and financially.