[Strawbale] Funding for Canadian green building

[Erica Konrad]

Thanks all for the prompt responses to my questions (i'll have to think of more - what a great listserv!).  I am researching incentives that may be offered by PowerSmart (BC Hydro). There may be a grant at the federal level for professionally installed solar water heating systems
.  
I will contact my MP as suggested and get him to work on it.  It's truly a shame there are no financial incentives for new homebuilders to spend a little bit more money and invest in some alternative technology which over the long run will save them money while easing the impact we are having on the environment. If there were financial incentives (especially for solar and geothermal as these are the most costly in the short term), the average new homeowner  would not have to use finances as an excuse not to incorporate green building technologies in their construction process. 
Thanks again. I will let you know what I find out.  
Erica
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: dfugler at cmhc-schl.gc.ca 
  To: strawbale at netidea.com 
  Cc: STRAWBALE at LISTSERV.REPP.ORG 
  Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2007 10:40 AM
  Subject: Funding for Canadian green building



  Erica, 

  I know of no federal programs that will provide funding for the green upgrades that you mention. There are new initiatives being announced by the federal government, but there is nothing that could be construed as a monetary incentive yet. 

  I think that the most fruitful source of funding for energy upgrades in Canada has been the utilities in the last several years. You may want to check with BC Hydro if they have existing programs that could subsidize the construction that you are planning. 

  Don Fugler 
  CMHC Policy and Research