The New Brunswick government announced on Thursday that it is planning to invest $20 million in energy retrofits for public buildings in the province.
The planned investments include lighting upgrades and heating and ventilation work at schools. Hospitals will also undergo energy efficiency projects.
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A press release emphasized that the upgrades are part of a plan to reduce operating costs, provide jobs and protect the environment.
“We know how important the economy, health care and education are to New Brunswickers,” said Finance Minister Cathy Rogers, speaking on behalf of Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Bill Fraser. “Using a lot of the older systems and the leaky windows, we are paying a lot more. Our energy, as they say, is going out the window.”
Other planned upgrades include:
- water conservation
- lighting upgrades and retrofits
- heat pump improvements
- installation of wood pellet boilers
- implementing energy management and upgrading controls
- energy recovery systems for ventilation systems
- demand side management for electricity
According to the province, the investment in retrofits builds on the $13.4 million from last year, as well as the $13.3 million in 2015-2016.
— With files from Shelley Steeves, Global News