Minister Carr Announces Proposed Changes to Energy Efficiency Regulations to Help Address Climate Change

OTTAWA, April 30, 2016 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is taking tangible steps to protect the environment and improve energy efficiency in Canada by undertaking important updates to the Energy Efficiency Regulations.

On April 30^th the Government of Canada will publish proposed updates to the Energy Efficiency Regulations in Canada Gazette Part I that increase minimum energy performance standards for 20 products.

These updates help align Canada's energy efficiency standards with the United States by 2020, as agreed upon by Prime Minister Trudeau and President Obama in the Joint Statement on Climate, Energy and Arctic Leadership recently signed in Washington, DC. They are also an important part of Canada's national approach to address climate change and are in keeping with the commitment in the Vancouver Declaration on Clean Growth and Climate Change to advance the harmonization of energy efficiency standards across Canada.

The Government will also publish a Notice of Intent outlining plans to update minimum energy performance standards for another 15 products. Consultations with provincial and territorial governments, industry, non-governmental organizations, the public and other stakeholders will be initiated through the release of product specific technical bulletins. Input received during these informal consultations will be considered as the regulations are drafted.

These two publications are part of a series of updates to our Energy Efficiency Regulations expected over the next five years that will improve energy efficiency across Canada. They will provide Canadians consumers and businesses with better access to energy efficient products, saving them money while helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Engaging the public is an essential part of this plan and that is why the Government of Canada recently launched a new interactive website to allow Canadians to share their ideas and be part of a national conversation on climate change. The Government of Canada is committed to engaging Canadians on the decisions that affect them.

Quotes

"These proposed updates will reduce GHG emissions across Canada and help consumers and businesses save money."

Jim Carr
Canada's Minister of Natural Resources

Related Products

Backgrounder - Energy Efficiency Regulations

U.S.-Canada Joint Statement on Climate, Energy and Arctic Leadership
Vancouver Declaration on Clean Growth and Climate Change

Associated Links
To submit your comments on Canada's approach to climate change please visit www.canada.ca/climateaction.

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BACKGROUNDER
Energy Efficiency Regulations

Canada's Energy Efficiency Regulations raise the level of energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by removing the least energy-efficient products from the market when cost-effective alternatives are readily available. Energy efficiency regulations also create savings for consumers and industry and support the Government's climate change commitments by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Regular amendments are necessary to continue to generate greenhouse gas emission reductions and energy savings for Canadians, as well as to remain up to date with the latest technologies. Natural Resources Canada plans to make multiple amendments to the Energy Efficiency Regulations over the next five years.

Energy efficiency standards are recognized as one of the most cost-effective tools for achieving greenhouse gas emission reductions and energy conservation. These standards are used in almost 50 countries as a cornerstone of national climate change policies.

Canada's Energy Efficiency Regulations were introduced in 1995. They have saved Canadian consumers and businesses $5 billion in 2015 and contributed to significant reductions in overall greenhouse gas emissions.

Following the publication of the draft regulations for Amendment 13 on April 30, the public will have 75 days to provide comments. To participate in the consultation process, please contact [email protected].

Draft regulations for Amendment 14 are expected to be published in spring 2017. Consultations will be initiated through the release of product-specific bulletins published on Natural Resources Canada's website.

More information and guidance can be found through the following links:

• Natural Resources Canada's Guide to the Energy Efficiency Regulations
• Forward Regulatory Plan 2016–208
• Regulation Announcements
• Regulatory Cooperation with the United States

Contact

Alexandre Deslongchamps
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Natural Resources
343-292-6837

Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
343-292-6100

Follow us on Twitter: @NRCan (http://twitter.com/nrcan)
NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at www.news.gc.ca.

SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

Alexandre Deslongchamps, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Natural Resources, 343-292-6837; Media Relations, Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa, 343-292-6100