Homeowners to get new eco grants: NDP

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/09/2011 (5209 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A re-elected NDP government would offer homeowners additional incentives to make their homes more energy efficient.

Premier Greg Selinger promised Thursday to top up the federal government’s popular ecoENERGY program, slash the cost of energy audits and cut interest rates on Manitoba Hydro Power Smart loans.

Selinger said Manitobans would qualify for up to $6,000 in combined Manitoba Hydro and federal ecoENERGY grants. For every $100 Ottawa awards, Hydro will put up $20.

Selinger said the cost of energy audits would fall to $45 from the current $180, while the interest rate charged on Power Smart loans would be lowered to 3.9 per cent from 4.9 per cent.

“We will now have the best (home energy-conservation) program in Canada,” the premier said Thursday in south Winnipeg. He said the initiatives would be made retroactive to June 6.

“All of these programs are intended to support what Manitobans want to do already, which is (to) find ways to reduce their consumption of energy and to have a more affordable cost of living,” Selinger said.

Selinger said the announcement fits in with the NDP’s theme of ensuring that living costs in Manitoba are affordable. Earlier in the campaign, the party said it would guarantee Manitobans had the lowest combined costs for home heating, electricity and auto insurance in Canada over the next four years.

Manitoba Hydro — not the province — would foot the bill for Thursday’s initiatives. Selinger said the net cost to the Crown corporation would be minimal since it will have more power to export at higher prices if Manitobans use less.

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca