Younger: Government Using Funds from Efficiency Nova Scotia

April 11, 2012

(Halifax, NS) Liberal energy critic Andrew Younger says government departments have accessed funding from Efficiency Nova Scotia to pay for upgrades and energy efficiencies to properties owned and operated by the province.

“Every Nova Scotian who pays an electricity bill is subsidizing the NDP government for energy upgrades the province should pay for from its own budget,” says Younger. 

Younger says while municipalities and the federal government fund energy efficiency upgrades through future cost savings, the Dexter government is instead raiding the funds of a corporation designed to help businesses and individuals. 

“The Dexter government increased power bills by adding a new fee, after opposing the Tory plan to do so during the 2009 election,” says Younger. “The NDP electricity tax was designed to fund Efficiency Nova Scotia - by raiding the funds of that organization, the Dexter government is reducing the ability of businesses, non-profits, and residents to access the funding.”

Younger says it is important to improve energy efficiency in government facilities, but the Dexter government can’t possibly believe government departments should be taking from funds meant for residents and businesses.

“The Dexter government drove up the power bills of every ratepayer in Nova Scotia to fund an Efficiency Nova Scotia,” says Younger. “It is an independent organization designed to help individuals and businesses - not to serve as another revenue source for government.”

“The Dexter government has refused to take any action to help lower the electricity bills of Nova Scotians,” Younger explains. “At the same time, this government has been giving itself a break on electricity on the backs of ratepayers.”

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