1 billion to decarbonize Quebec’s buildings
To achieve its GHG reduction target, Quebec does not only intend to strengthen its actions in the transportation sector or large industries, since commercial and institutional buildings alone account for nearly 10% of GHG emissions.
A billion dollars are thus planned for this sector’s decarbonization as announced by the Legault government. It also seems that Quebec is currently working on a mandatory building system for declaration and rating, aimed at evaluating the energy performance of a facility. A bill would also be tabled next fall to force property owners to find solutions to meet stricter heating standards. Indeed, the heat produced in large quantities by the factories is not recovered in most cases, but rather rejected into the air or water, constituting a significant energy waste. In the breakdown of the billion dollars to decarbonize buildings, Quebec will therefore provide 215 million for what is called the “Thermal discharges valorization”. In concrete terms, it consists in capturing the heat given by an industrial building to redirect it to another facility that will recover it as an energy source. It also seems that the budget for the “Chauffez vert” program will be revised upwards and will benefit from an additional sum of $129 million. It aims, for its part, to encourage building owners powered by fossil fuels to convert to electricity or dual energy, if they are unable to carry out a total transformation. Quebec also have a very positive view of buildings equipped with thermal accumulators. Subsidies will therefore be offered to interested parties. These are devices that accumulate heat to release it during peak periods.
Remember that the latest budget tabled by Quebec expect investments of $9 billion over five years to implement the Plan for a Green Economy 2030. The Legault government intends to reduce emissions by 37.5% compared to the level of 1990 and to make of Quebec a carbon neutral province by 2050.
Source: Radio Canada
Photo: Le Devoir