Canada's Voice for Energy Efficiency Welcomes Ontario Government White Paper on Energy Conservation and the Process to Engage Ontarians in Future Conservation Initiatives

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - July 16, 2013) - The Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance today welcomed the release of the Ontario Government's new White Paper entitled "Conservation First- A Renewed Vision for Energy Conservation in Ontario."

"The Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance (CEEA) are pleased that Minister Chiarelli and the Ontario Government are taking an aggressive and forward-looking approach to conservation. Conservation should always be the first step in any energy planning and Ontario is showing this is now the number one priority, said Elizabeth McDonald, President of CEEA. "Ontarians are looking for two things: to save money and to do the right thing for the environment. This announcement achieves that and more"

Among the recommendations, the White Paper seeks input on rating systems for buildings and benchmarking as well as a revolving fund to help finance energy efficiency retrofits. These recommendations further underline the urgency to deal with buildings as a first priority of conservation planning in the province.

"We know that the buildings sector accounts for 30-40% of global energy use and offers the largest potential for low cost reduction. CEEA is proud to see alignment between our initiatives and the conservation planning of the government of Ontario."

CEEA will be an active participant in the consultation process for the White Paper and will encourage its members to lend their ideas and their voice to the consultation.

CEEA has developed its own White Paper, with a national focus on promoting, coordinating and advancing energy efficiency initiatives on a pan-Canadian scale involving all levels of government, industry and consumers. This paper will form the basis for its input into Ontario's White Paper Consultation.

About the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance (CEEA)

The Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance (CEEA) is a broad based not-for-profit organization. It is the leading non-government, energy efficiency advocate in Canada. The Alliance was established in 1995 to respond to the lack of a coordinated multi-stakeholder effort to promote energy efficiency in Canada, leading to enhanced competitiveness and improved environmental protection.

The Alliance works in partnership with manufacturers, utilities, governments, builders, labour and consumer groups, and environmental organizations to facilitate the adoption of energy efficiency measures in Canada. The Alliance is supported through fees and project contributions from members.