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East Gwillimbury – First in Canada to Adopt ENERGY STAR Standards for New Housing - Environmental Communication Options/Huff Strategy

East Gwillimbury – First in Canada to Adopt ENERGY STAR Standards for New Housing

May 16th, 2006 10:41 AM

(Sharon, ON, May 15, 2006) East Gwillimbury Mayor James Young, Members of Council, Chief Administrative Officer Thomas Webster and Ontario’s Chief Energy Conservation Officer Peter Love officially announced the adoption of a Municipal policy directing developers of residential developments of ten or more units to construct them to ENERGY STAR qualification. The policy was passed at the March 20, 2006 Committee of the Whole Council Meeting. With typical ENERGY STAR qualified homes containing high efficiency heating, hot water and air conditioning systems, insulation upgrades, higher performance windows, and better draft proofing, they consume 30 to 40% less energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2 to 3 tonnes per year, compared to homes built to the minimum Ontario Building Code requirements. “Adopting the ENERGY STAR standards will show that East Gwillimbury is a leader in innovative environmental policy and has set a standard for all governments to follow,” said Mayor James Young. “Energy efficient housing is the best way to ensure that East Gwillimbury’s residents are insulated against rising energy costs and won’t have to make costly energy efficiency upgrade retrofits in the future.” Corey McBurney, Managing Director of EnerQuality Corporation, the organization which oversees the ENERGY STAR for New Homes program in Ontario stated, “ENERGY STAR qualified homes cost less to operate and are much more comfortable to live in. Homeowners can expect to save over $750 per year in energy costs.” “By going beyond the minimum Ontario Building Code requirements, East Gwillimbury deserves recognition as a leader in home energy efficiency in the province of Ontario,” said Mr. Love, who presented a Certificate of Recognition to the Town. East Gwillimbury is also considering the adoption of Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) standards for all new industrial, commercial, and institutional developments in the Town. -30- For additional information contact: Licinio Miguelo, Policy/Strategy Coordinator, Town of East Gwillimbury, 905-478-4282 ext.275 ENERGY STAR for New Homes is a label given to homes that meet balanced, whole-house, energy-efficiency standards, guaranteeing their owners significant energy savings. The ENERGY STAR mark is administered and promoted in Canada by Natural Resources Canada.