NB Power says customers have role to play in energy efficiency

The head of NB Power says one of the biggest challenges the utility faces in becoming more energy efficient is getting its customers to change their behaviour when it comes to energy consumption.

"At the end of the day we have to have every customer taking steps to improve their consumption habits," said president and CEOGatan Thomas.

Thomas and Neil Larlee, NB Power's director of strategic planning and regulatory affairs, presented the utility's efforts to become more energy efficient to the provincial legislature's select committee on climate change on Tuesdayafternoon.

Thomas said the utility will be investing $150 million in smart grid technology over the next 10 years and that it's already invested more than $17 million in energy efficiency programs, such asthe rebate program for heat pump installation.

• NB Power may be forced to pay customers to drop electric heat
• Company hopes to 'Stash' energy for consumers during peak hours

But with high energy usage at peak times, changing customer behaviour is the only way to actually reduce energy consumption, says Thomas.

Green Party Leader David Coon, who is amember of the select committee on climate change, says the measures NB Power is taking aren't enough.

"Without any specific plan to reduce carbon pollution, without any specific plan to tackle climate change to do its partas NB Power pointed out,they're not intending for their emissions to go down in the foreseeable future," he said.

Coon contendsa clear climate action plan is necessary.

"We need a plan with clear targets that are measurable targets over a period of time that tackle all sectors residential, commercial and industrial, that addresses all fuels, not just electricityand one that overcomes the up-front capital cost barrier," he said.

The select committee will hear from more experts on the subject and will then consult with New Brunswickersacross the provinceto find out what they want in a climate action plan.