The Town of Creston was one out of eleven organizations to receive a FortisBC Efficiency in Action Award, an annual event that recognizes the most exceptional energy saving efforts happening across B.C.
On Thursday, May 11, Creston received the Municipal Public Sector Award for the design and construction of the Creston Emergency Services Building. The building utilizes a number of energy efficiency upgrades, including a high-efficiency boiler, gas fired furnace, and heat recovery ventilation. The design incorporates an efficient building envelope, including 12-inch-thick insulated concrete panels to help keep the building warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
As energy efficiency is a key pillar of climate action, FortisBC is pleased to celebrate eleven organizations for their dedication to energy conservation and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions.
The 2023 Efficiency in Action Award winners are the New Chelsea Society, Prince George School District No.57, QuadReal Property Group, Fort Nelson First Nation, Town of Creston, Provincial Health Services Authority, Canada Place Corporation, BC Care Providers Association & EngAge BC, Kalesnikoff Lumber Company, and Bates Restaurants Ltd.
Together, these organizations are expected to reduce annual GHG emissions equivalent to removing more than 1,200 gas-powered vehicles off the road for a year.
“Energy efficiency remains one of the most effective and affordable ways to reduce GHG emissions, and the efforts of the winning organizations represent some of the best work we’re seeing in this area,” said Joe Mazza, vice president, energy supply and resource development, FortisBC. “We’re thrilled to highlight the ongoing efforts of these organizations through these awards.”
The eight award winners recognized for their reduced natural gas use are saving more than 80,000 gigajoules of natural gas annually, the energy equivalent to heating more than 800 homes per year and saving more than 4,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent annually, the equivalent to removing about 1,200 gas-powered cars from the road.
The two winning organizations in FortisBC’s electric service territory are saving over 1,600,000 kilowatt hours annually, the equivalent electricity use of almost 60 homes for a year.1 FortisBC provided more than $4.5 million in energy efficiency incentives to the winning organizations, helping them cover a portion of the upfront costs for these upgrades.
Last year, FortisBC invested more than $118 million in programs and incentives to help customers reduce their energy use and save on their monthly energy bills. This year, they are investing even more, with FortisBC recently receiving approval from the British Columbia Utilities Commission to invest more than $155 million into conservation and energy efficiency programs in 2023.
To learn more about the work these organizations completed, visit fortisbc.com/efficiencyawards.
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