The Ontario provincial government is planning to spend more than $7 billion over four years on a comprehensive climate change initiative that will include incentives for energy efficiency building retrofits, according to a report in the Globe and Mail.
The plan, aimed at reducing Ontario’s carbon footprint, will also include:
- Phasing out natural gas for heating
- Rebates to drivers who buy electric vehicles
- Requirements that gasoline sold in the province contain less carbon
- Building code changes to require all new homes to be heated with electricity or geothermal systems by 2030
- A target for 12% of all new vehicle sales to be electric by 2025
Some $3.8 billion will be available for new grants, rebates, and other subsidies to retrofit buildings, and to move heating from natural gas to geothermal, solar power, or other forms of electric heat. Many of these programs will be administered by a new Green Bank, modeled on a similar agency in New York State.
The plan may still be fine-tuned, and will be officially released to the public in June, the Globe and Mail reported.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Apr 23, 2020
COVID-19 epidemic demonstrates value of flexible hospital space
Some rooms being repurposed for ICU care.
Codes and Standards | Apr 15, 2020
Embodied carbon footprint can be reduced by using conventional materials
High-SCM concrete, and cellulose and wood fiber insulation among the greener alternatives.
Coronavirus | Apr 13, 2020
COVID-19 alert: City conducts a 'virtual building inspection' to allow Starbucks and bank to open
Bothell, Wash., issues a certificate of occupancy to developer after inspecting the property online.
Codes and Standards | Apr 13, 2020
Design competition focuses on reducing urban heat island effect
Cool Abu Dhabi aims to transform urban life in the Middle East.
Codes and Standards | Apr 13, 2020
What building science says about reducing COVID-19 transmission
Impact of temperature and relative humidity is unclear.
Codes and Standards | Apr 9, 2020
Owners retrofitting properties, monitoring performance during epidemic
Covid-19 outbreak may lead employers to reevaluate office commitments.
Codes and Standards | Apr 7, 2020
Dept. of Labor publishes guidance on paid sick leave, expanded family and medical leave
Includes fact sheets for employees, employers, and a questions and answers document.
Codes and Standards | Apr 1, 2020
Standards and codes meetings halted, postponed
ASTM International cancels in-person standards meetings; DOE’s National Energy Codes Conference postponed.
Codes and Standards | Mar 26, 2020
Ransomware attack on Canadian contractor underscores need for cybersecurity
Victimized company Bird Construction has defense, law enforcement contracts.
Codes and Standards | Mar 23, 2020
Contractors should scrutinize contracts carefully amid Covid-19 crisis
Compliance with time-sensitive notice requirements and careful documentation required.