MUNICIPALITIES AND GOVERNMENT SIGN ENERGY EFFICIENCY AGREEMENT

The Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) and the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) have signed an energy conservation agreement with the Saskatchewan Property Management Corporation (SPMC) and the Office of Energy Conservation (OEC).

"This is a new way of doing business between our provincial and municipal governments," Minister responsible for the Office of Energy Conservation David Forbes said. "It combines the advantages of the buying power of the province, with the local delivery ability of the municipalities to reduce the overall cost of business."

This agreement follows a year of pilot programs and consultations with municipal leaders. It ensures that municipalities who are interested in saving money and making energy-efficiency changes in their buildings will have the support and the resources available to them. SPMC's purchasing power cuts the cost of items like energy-efficient T-8 fluorescent tubes and electronic ballasts roughly in half.

"With the advice and encouragement of SPMC and the Office of Energy Conservation we improved the lighting system throughout our head office," SARM Vice-President David Marit said. "The upgrade is saving us about $1,300 per year and will pay for itself in less than six years. Many of our member communities are copying this success."

"Energy costs are threatening the viability of some community recreation facilities," SUMA President Don Schlosser said. "This agreement is helping us offer new services to our members, such as an initiative with the OEC that promotes solar heating of outdoor swimming pools. This helps municipalities free up money to spend on other local projects."

This new program will facilitate energy conservation work in municipal offices, recreational facilities and various other buildings in Saskatchewan. Municipal initiatives backed by the purchasing power and advice of SPMC and the Office of Energy Conservation will help further a green and prosperous economy throughout Saskatchewan.

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For More Information, Contact:

Terry White Office of Energy Conservation Regina Phone: (306) 787-9381 Email: white@src.sk.ca	Nadine Sisk Saskatchewan Property Management Corporation Regina Phone: (306) 787-9225 Email: nadine.sisk@spmc.gov.sk.ca
Dale Harvey Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities Regina Phone: (306) 761-3721 Email: dharvey@sarm.ca	Andrew Rathwell Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association Regina Phone: (306) 535-0066 Email: a.rathwell@sasktel.net