By getting behind renewable energy technology — we’ll reduce our dependence on large-scale energy suppliers and energy sources that produce a high level of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs).
Mike Holmes, Canwest News Service
We all want to reduce our environmental footprint and be more responsible about how we live. I spec-in sustainable materials in all the houses I design and build, and whenever possible, make the better, greener choice.
It was a disappointment to have the federal ecoENERGY Retrofit program cancelled. I’m just a contractor, not a politician, but it seems that was a government program that was working. Homeowners were rewarded for putting in energy-saving appliances or spending their renovation dollars on a superior envelope that will improve energy efficiency.
If the federal budget was fully allocated that’s because the program was a success and it should be continued and expanded. So then let’s direct more money toward it – fast.
Incentives to shift to renewable energy sources are smart and long overdue.
One way to do that is to reduce our dependence on energy that comes from non-renewable sources. By getting behind renewable energy technology – we’ll reduce our dependence on large-scale energy suppliers and energy sources that produce a high level of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs).
What’s renewable energy? Energy from such sources as solar, wind, water and biomass – they’re free. And most importantly, it’s available at a local level, unlike conventional fuels that typically are generated long distances from where it’s ultimately used.
If we can decentralize our dependence on big suppliers of energy, we’ll be less vulnerable. The big blackout of 2003 that took out millions of homes in North America wouldn’t have been such a big deal if we weren’t all dependant on the grid.
And if we start to create our own power through microgeneration from renewable sources we’ll also reduce GHGs. And the more people able to create energy means more energy available to use, and lower costs.
Solar energy is unlimited. It can be harnessed right where you use it – the roof of your home. The only drawback is the initial cost of investment, which can be expensive, and they can take a long time to pay back, so without some kind of break, homeowners often just can’t consider it. If there were some rebate program that helps people reduce the initial cost of installing a renewable energy microgeneration system into homes, we would all benefit.
Wouldn’t you love to control your source of energy? What about if you could even sell extra energy back to the grid, so instead of just paying, you could profit?
Let’s start moving in the right direction on this by making choices and by empowering people across the country to do the right thing.
Naydene Lewis is a town councillor in Okotoks, Alta., who’s putting forth a motion that makes a lot of sense to me. In fact, a lot of forward-thinking municipalities across the country – like Okotoks – have already endorsed it.
She’d like to see more incentives that encourage renewable energy installations by homeowners, who can tie into the grid and provide small-scale power generation.
This is the sort of grassroots movement that we should all get behind; individual homeowners, local municipalities – that’s where change happens. It’s not going to come from big government (though that would be nice to see). Sustainable energy projects and initiatives should be owned and developed by the residents of a community where the project is located.
If we invest in renewable energy, we’ll go a long way to making it right.
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