FEDS Cut Off Retrofit Program Early

Ottawa - The Federal government has cancelled the popular ecoENERGY Retrofit program two months before its previously scheduled March 31 deadline. Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver announced on Sunday that the $400-million program will no longer accept new applications for ecoENERGY Retrofit grants, which provided building and homeowners with up to $5,000 to make their properties more energy efficient. The Minister said ending the program ahead of schedule was a "financial decision", and pointed out that the program has already funded retrofits for 250,000 registered homeowners.

The ecoENERGY Retrofit program was originally launched in 2007 and became instantly popular with homeowners and contractors alike. The program also sparked the growth of companies providing the energy efficiency audits required to apply for the retrofit money. The program was a boon to building supply retailers as well because it spurred sales of roofing products, energy-efficient windows and doors and insulation. By 2009, the government had paid out some $91-million in grants through the program, but the Conservatives abruptly cancelled the plan in April 2010 citing fiscal concerns. Critics argued that the program was cancelled because it had become too popular with homeowners, and was therefore costing the government more than it had anticipated when the program was introduced.

Then, to the surprise and delight of the homeowners and the building supply and construction industries, the ecoENERGY Retrofit program reappeared in the government's June 2011 budget. At that time, the Conservatives pledged an additional $400-million for energy efficient retrofits to be completed by March 31, 2012. According to the Save ecoENERGY Coalition, a national association of environmental organizations and eco-energy builders, the government has only allocated some $192-million of the $400-million pledged so far.
In announcing the end of ecoENERGY Retrofit, the government pointed out that homeowners already registered in the program are still eligible to receive a post-retrofit evaluation on renovations completed before March 31 of this year. They can then apply for rebates through the program until June 30, 2012.