Article content continued

Q Who’s leading Energy Efficiency Alberta?

A Phillips announced David Dodge as the agency’s chairperson. He’s best known for creating Green Energy Futures, a multimedia series on environmental issues. He is the former president of the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues. “We have one role — we just have to find the best practices,” Dodge said.

Q What are the first three energy-efficiency programs the agency will work on introducing?

A The programs announced Thursday:

• A direct install residential program, which will offer a direct, no-charge installation of low-cost energy efficiency products to residences, such as lighting, water and heating components.

• The residential consumer products program will offer rebates at stores to residential customers for products such as lighting, insulation and appliances.

• The business, non-profit and institutional rebate program will offer incentives for high-efficiency products and installation of electric and gas-based products such as lighting, heating and cooling systems and hot water systems.

Q How will the programs work?

A Details of the programs are scarce so far, other than that they are expected to launch in early 2017. The agency will issue a request for proposals to companies or organizations to deliver the programs. An expert panel created by the government is also preparing a report on which energy-efficiency programs Albertans want and can be delivered quickly.

“There is a lot more to come, but these initial programs will get the ball rolling early in the new year,” Phillips said.

Q What’s the response from retailers?

A “Anything that gets energy-efficient appliances into Albertans’ homes is going to be a benefit,” said Michael Seens, director of sales for Trail Appliances. “We’ve seen the programs work in B.C. and Saskatchewan. It will increase sales, but it will also make consumers aware of what they can save. Currently, I don’t know if it’s a big enough consideration.”

bmah@postmedia.com

twitter.com/mahspace