Federal Minister Visits Bridgewater
This month, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change visited Bridgewater for a funding announcement. During his visit, he met Rita Landgraf and Ross Bunnell, homeowners who participated in Clean Energy Financing to enable them to install the solar panels pictured above.
The funding announcement happened on a sunny morning at Rita and Ross’s home on a quiet street in Bridgewater. The Minister announced a $9.5 million investment to expand the Clean Energy Financing program to more communities across Nova Scotia through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Green Municipal Fund.
“Nova Scotians have seen first-hand some of the worst effects of climate change. This is an exciting announcement for many municipalities across Nova Scotia in their efforts to combat climate change and make life more affordable for their residents. By helping people to invest in energy-efficient improvements to their homes, they can cut their monthly energy bills while supporting more sustainable communities. Projects and initiatives like the Clean Foundation’s Clean Energy Financing program are helping us get there by reducing financial barriers for homeowners.”
Clean Energy Financing has been available to Bridgewater residents for several years. If someone owns a single detached, semi-detached, or townhouse in Bridgewater and all owners consent to participate, they can get financing. Bridgewater’s Clean Energy Financing program features a 1% interest rate, a 15-year payback period, and no credit check. Common energy efficient upgrades paid for through Clean Energy Financing include heat pumps, insulation, solar panels, and more. The Town of Bridgewater offers Clean Energy Financing in partnership with the Clean Foundation.
“It’s important for homeowners in Nova Scotia to have access to opportunities to help them transition to more economical and efficient energy solutions for their homes. An increase in funding to the Clean Energy Financing program allows us to work with even more homeowners in municipalities across the province to make the necessary energy efficient retrofits so their homes are more comfortable and affordable in the long run.”
The average yearly savings for Clean Energy Financing participants is $850. To date, 39 households in Bridgewater have completed energy-efficient upgrades, and 18 more are in progress. Completed homes are saving on average, 4 tonnes of greenhouse gases annually.
Energize Bridgewater team members Leon de Vreede and Meghan Doucette attended the announcement on behalf of our team. Donna Hatt, Economic Development Officer for the Town of Bridgewater MC’d the event.
Rita and Ross were gracious hosts. Their two dogs participated and helped to show the personal nature of a program like this. Real families are seeing the impact of Clean Energy Financing in Bridgewater. Clean Energy Financing is helping homeowners afford to transition to a lower-carbon future and we are excited to be a part of the transition.