Bill 150, the Green Energy and Green Economy Act, is proceeding rapidly through second reading in the Ontario Legislature. This Bill contains 12 different Schedules, each proposing or amending a different statute.
One of the Schedules will create the proposed Green Energy Act. Among many other things, the Green Energy Act will allow the province to require vendors of real estate to provide energy efficiency information, possibly an energy audit. Realtors have complained, but we think it’s an excellent idea. The vehicle equivalent, Drive Clean, has been immensely useful in reducing air pollution from badly maintained cars and trucks. It may also have saved car buyers money by ensuring that their new cars have working pollution control systems. When Drive Clean was announced, it was met with a chorus of objections, but the market adapted soon thereafter.
Buildings are usually estimated to release 30% to 40% of Canadian greenhouse gases. Since buildings last much longer than vehicles, a large proportion of Canadian buildings are old and inefficient. An energy audit frequently identifies many opportunities for property owners to reduce their energy costs. For example, our synagogue was astonished to learn of numerous cost-saving opportunities with very short payback periods, when we finally got around to a formal energy audit. And implementing the recommendations gave us a much more comfortable building, with better lighting.
More on the Green Energy Act later, as soon as time permits!
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
There is a lot of promising stuff in this bill. Most notable, for me, is the creation of a system of feed-in tariffs for renewable generation.
At this time this is stupid and damaging to the economy, and will be ineffectual but will add to the growing number of taxpayer paid bureaucrats.
Get off our backs.
Want more info on the act? Check out the official government website: http://www.ontariogreenenergyact.ca there’s a link to the act itself on the about us page.
What’s the need for this? If there’s a problem with the next house I’m buying, I’ll fix it. This is just another scam to take money away from the individual.
I don’t need an energy audit. I don’t need my 2006 car E-tested. I don’t need more government interfering with my life.
Another stupid tax grab by the provincial liberals! I agree with the previous post, if there is a problem with the next house I will fix it, not have valued money (especially in this economy) thrown out the window to have some quasi qualified person make assumptions about my house. I cant wait for the next election to replace the liberals….with anyone, but them.
If you can afford the 6 figure house, a few hundred bucks won't be missed, you won't even notice. This creates jobs that we need, and not everyone is as home smart as you and the previous post. You need a related diploma to even qualify for the training! Mabye you should educate yourself before opening it!
Another cash grab in disguise . The only ones they are fooling are the morons that believe anything with the word green in it must be good for us .
I think this is a wonderful idea. I know that in every home I have changed out HVAC equipment and windows/doors. How nice would it be if I could ask my agent to find me a home that is rated very well in energy efficiency so that I do not have to do the work. I would be willing to pay more for this. Also, if I were to sell my home I would want to show that I have done many things to improve my home, both in appearance and efficiency.
Thanks, Kevin. My daughter is househunting, and that’s exactly how we feel.
Enjoy your green house.
Dianne
I thin the Green Energy Act is great idea, as for the Realtors, well, any new act that comes into place always has people bumping their gums but they will come good in the end.