Keep the ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes Program Alive!

Apr 9th, 2010 8:53 AM

Keep the ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes Program Alive! Facebook group formed to extend federal home energy efficiency incentives (April 9, 2010, Toronto, Ontario) Canadians concerned about home energy efficiency are invited to join a Facebook group calling for the extension of ecoENERGY retrofit incentives. The Facebook group was formed almost immediately after the March 31 announcement that no new participants will be eligible for federal ecoENERGY grants to help pay for home energy efficiency upgrades. "NAIMA Canada is disappointed in the short sightedness of the Federal government. The ecoENERGY program brought many benefits to home owners, the economy and the environment," said Steve Koch, Executive Director of NAIMA Canada. "NAIMA Canada wishes to see it revived, and energy conservation encouraged. We ask community members to let their local MP's know about their concerns." The Facebook group encourages to members of the public to write letters to politicians, including Prime Minister Stephen Harper and their local Members of Parliament (MP), and to editors of local media outlets. The group provides background information and suggested language for letters, along with contact information for politicians. It is also a source of the latest news, including announcements from provinces and others who are piggy-backing their own programs on the federal ecoENERGY program. "Cancelling ecoENERGY is a serious mistake," said Clifford Maynes, Executive Director of Green Communities Canada. "Canadians who want to see the ecoENERGY Program restored need to make their voices heard," he said. The Facebook group attracted more than 550 members in less than a week. Members are sharing their frustration and calling for of leadership and vision from the federal government. "Making our houses energy efficient by retrofitting old buildings saves money and creates jobs. It's one of many cost efficient ways to conserve energy, not to mention fighting climate change," commented Ted Hsu, Executive Director of SWITCH Kingston. Keep the ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes Program Alive! was created by Ted Hsu, Executive Director of SWITCH Kingston, and is maintained by Ted and Green Communities Canada. Visit http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=107621445935729 or http://bit.ly/brHwVK For draft letters, see: http://switchkingston.ca/files/EcoENERGY%20letter.doc For additional background, see: http://www.greencommunitiescanada.org/pages/News.php. -30- For more information, please contact: Ted Hsu, Executive Director of SWITCH, 613.547.6700 x 129, Clifford Maynes, Executive Director of Green Communities, 705.745.7479 x 118, cmaynes[at]greencommunitiescanada.org. Stephen Koch, Executive Director, NAIMA Canada, 613.292.8772 (cell) or 613.232.8093 (office) SWITCH is an incorporated non-profit association with a mission to make the south-eastern Ontario region a centre for sustainable energy. Green Communities Canada, founded in 1995, is a national association of non-profit organizations that deliver innovative environmental programs and services. See www.savehomeenergy.ca, and www.greencommunitiescanada.org. NAIMA Canada is the association for North American manufacturers of fibre glass, rock wool, and slag wool insulation products doing business in Canada. Its role is to promote energy efficiency and environmental preservation through the use of fibre glass, rock wool, and slag wool insulation, and to encourage the safe production and use of these materials. NAIMA Canada is a sister organization to the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA).