Fourteen local businesses and organizations were recognized as FortisBC announced the winners of its annual PowerSense Conservation Excellence and Leadership awards for outstanding achievements in energy efficiency.
“One of the most cost effective ways to meet our customers’ future needs is to encourage them use energy as efficiently as possible. The customers recognized today are an example for others to follow and we are pleased they are doing their part by significantly reducing their electricity use,” said Tom Loski, vice president, customer service, FortisBC.
FortisBC PowerSense Conservation Excellence Awards recognize customers who have shown a commitment to innovation, conservation and sustainability by completing energy efficiency projects that save more than 100,000 kilowatt hours (kW/h) annually.
The Okanagan-Kootenay Sterile Insect Release Program was one of the projects recognized. The facility in Osoyoos focuses on rearing and releasing sterile codling moths to protect pear and apple orchards and uses a significant amount of energy. By adapting energy management practices to better control mechanical systems and lighting, the organization saved nearly 1,000,000 kW/h, or enough to power close to 80 homes for a year.
The FortisBC PowerSense Conservation Excellence winners — 14 organizations and individuals acting as leaders, catalysts, and educators — are:
Conservation Excellence Awards
City of Penticton (Penticton Community Centre), Town of Oliver, Weyerhaeuser, Princeton Co-Generation Corporation, Okanagan College (Centre of Excellence), Vincor, Okanagan-Kootenay Sterile Insect Release Program, Penticton Indian Band, Home Hardware, SunRype, Castlegar Canadian Tire and Boundary School District 51.
Conservation Leadership Awards
Okanagan College (Centre of Excellence), GreenStep Sustainability Coaching, and Krueger Electrical.
The awards were presented during a luncheon held Wednesday in Penticton at the new Okanagan College Centre of Excellence. Billed as one of the most energy-efficient buildings in North America, Okanagan College’s Centre of Excellence is expected to use a quarter of what a typical building of similar size built to standard specifications would use.
By adopting energy efficient technologies in their projects and promoting energy efficiency to staff, customers and the public, these conservation leaders have collectively saved over four gigawatt hours of electricity, enough to power close to 330 homes for a year.
The PowerSense Conservation Awards are handed out annually as part of FortisBC’s annual PowerSense month activities. PowerSense month highlights FortisBC’s commitment to energy efficiency and the need to reduce energy consumption and, specifically, peak energy consumption through the winter months.
FortisBC is committed to helping customers conserve energy and get the most out of their energy dollar by providing both financial incentives and advice on energy efficient technologies and practices. Since its inception in 1989, FortisBC’s PowerSense program has helped southern interior customers save more than 385 gigawatt hours (GWh), enough energy to power over 30,000 homes for a year.
For more information on energy efficiency tips, rebates and programs to help you save energy in your home or business, contact your local PowerSense representative by calling 1-866-436-7847, email powersense@fortisbc.com or visit www.fortisbc.com.