Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Core Review, recently announced that LiveSmart BC is working with BC Hydro and FortisBC as they jointly develop utility funded energy conservation programs to continue to help homeowners and small businesses make energy efficiency improvements.
With the conclusion of the LiveSmart BC: Small Business program on March 31, the Business Energy Advisor (BEA) service transitioned to BC Hydro, which now oversees five BEA positions, with co-funding from FortisBC, and will continue to offer free energy assessments and provide recommendations to small businesses on energy efficiency upgrades.
BC Hydro and FortisBC continue to offer energy-efficient product incentives, which the BEAs will help eligible businesses apply for. BC Hydro will issue the request for proposals for five BEAs this spring and LiveSmart BC will remain involved in the BEA program, sharing best practices and providing guidance.
To help residential customers reduce their water and space heating costs, BC Hydro and FortisBC will be expanding the incentives available to residential customers, beyond those currently offered under the LiveSmart BC program. These programs will be launched later this year.
To help customers reduce their bills by using less electricity, BC Hydro is investing $1.6 billion in Power Smart programs over the term of the government’s 10 Year Plan. This includes funding to provide energy efficiency kits free of charge to eligible low-income British Columbians, as well as funding for the Energy Conservation Assistance Program, which provides free energy assessments, refrigerator replacements and insulation upgrades to low-income households.
