SMALL NORTHWEST businesses now have an easier way to get government grants to help them cut down on power costs.
The Terrace and District Chamber of Commerce, thanks to a provincial grant, has hired one person to determine how much businesses now spend on energy and help them with ways to reduce that cost.
Businesses that spend less than $50,000 yearly on power, have less than 50 employees and are independently owned qualify for a free energy audit with advisor Gary Rysavy.
Rysavy walks through a business with the aim of saving it money.
“The chart shows savings tallied over years plus incentives,” Rysavy says of a chart he prepares for study.
The audit includes charting things like lighting and appliances, tallying their individual consumption, and finding energy efficient products approved by a grant-giving program.
Incentives for the program are made available through Live Smart B.C. Small Business Program, a program focused on reducing energy consumption and promoting “smart” power usage. Incentives will be available for three years.
Commercial incandescent lighting will be phased out of stores completely within the next two years, Rysavy said. Only LED or fluorescent bulbs will be available and ballasts will be electronic instead of magnetic.
While there is money available for switching to energy efficient lights now, in three years when the program ends, the incentives will be gone and businesses will still have to switch over their lights because that’s all that will be available. Rysavy noted this when explaining the benefit of inviting him for a walk through.
“For most businesses, lighting is going to be one of those quick and easy ones,” he said.
Energy efficient products that qualify for incentives are available in an electronic catalog found on the BC Hydro website. Businesses don’t need an energy advisor to apply for incentives, but Rysavy said his position is intended to teach about saving power and saving businesses time.
With permission, Rysavy said he will gather information and prices on power saving products.
The Terrace Chamber of Commerce received $144,253 from the Ministry of Energy and Mines through Live Smart BC to hire Rysavy and provide the program to Terrace, Kitimat, Prince Rupert, Smithers and Stewart.
Chamber manager Carol Fielding said program fits with the chamber’s mission of helping local businesses.
BC Hydro also has programs and information designed to help families cut down on power costs and save money as well.