Helping small business save money and energy
By Nelson Daily Staff
Small businesses across B.C. will be able to access free energy-efficiency advice, equipment and incentives with the new LiveSmart BC: Small Business Program.
The $15-million, three-year LiveSmart BC: Small Business Program will help meet the needs of sectors such accommodations, retail, agriculture, offices and more than $4.5 million allocated for upgrades in the restaurant industry.
Building on the residential LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program, this new program will support small businesses owners who may not have the time, information or resources to make energy efficient improvements.
There are four components to the program:
• Business energy advisors: will deliver free energy assessments, help owners tap into available product incentives and cash rebates, and help co-ordinate product installation.
• Direct installation: will fund 100 per cent of the cost of replacing and installing select energy-efficient equipment such as lighting and pre-rinse spray valves for commercial kitchens.
• Enhanced product incentives: will increase cash rebates for more than 10,000 energy efficient products.
• LiveSmart champion: an open call for businesses to access funding for new, innovative ways to conserve energy.
Once complete, the LiveSmart Small Business program is forecast to save businesses over $7 million in utility costs and 82.5GWh of electricity per year, enough to power 7,500 homes.
More than 4,000 small businesses are expected to benefit from direct installation and incentives.
For more information on the program, including eligibility, visit the LiveSmart BC: Small Business Program’s home page at: http://www.livesmartbc.ca/green_business/index.html
Business energy advisors
• Targets small businesses that spend up to $50,000 per year on electricity.
• Business energy advisors will be available to visit eligible businesses and work directly with them to identify potential energy and money saving opportunities, including lighting, hot water, heating and ventilation improvements.
• Advisors will help businesses access other available incentives and LiveSmart BC: Small Business Program elements, including co-ordinating the installation of the equipment on behalf of the owner.
• A total of 14 advisors will be hired, one in each of B.C.’s seven regions including the Kootenays.
Direct install
• Targets small businesses that spend up to $20,000 per year on electricity.
• Coordinates and funds100 per cent of the cost to install select products such as energy efficiency lighting and lighting controls or pre-rinse spray valves to conserve hot water in commercial kitchens.
Enhanced product incentives
• Available to businesses that spend up to $200,000 per year on electricity.
• There are currently product inventive programs available throughout the province, providing cash rebates on more than 10,000 energy efficient technologies including lighting, refrigeration, and commercial cooking equipment.
• The LiveSmart BC: Small Business Program will enhance the value of the rebates, allowing businesses across the province to save even more.
Livesmart Champion program
• Available to businesses that spend up to $50,000 per year on electricity, this is an open call for businesses to develop innovative ways to conserve energy in their specific sectors.
• Projects will be chosen and funding provided based on their energy savings, innovation, replicability and impact on the community.
The enhanced product incentives and the direct install components will be delivered through BC Hydro and Fortis BC. LiveSmart BC is working with its service delivery partners to finalize program details and timing.
As additional program information becomes available, it will be posted to: www.livesmartbc.ca/green_business.
